Parental awareness regarding childhood injuries.
OBJECTIVE
To assess parental awareness regarding common childhood injuries and to focus on preventive issues.


METHODS
Two hundred parents of children each grouped into 2 attending OPD of government hospital and private clinic respectively were enrolled, interviewed and responses analyzed.


RESULTS
The commonest potential mode of injuries identified in both groups was falls (53% vs 84%). None of the households in group 1 and less than 2/3rd in group 2 had provision of restraints at stairs. Awareness was found to be greater in the group with higher educational background and socioeconomic status.


CONCLUSIONS
Awareness regarding common childhood injuries and their prevention was lacking. There was a felt need that the pediatricians must counsel the parents on this aspect during visits. Since the sample size is small, a larger community based study is needed.
Sehgal
Arvind
A
Department of Neonatal Intensive Care, Royal Hospital for Women & Sydney Children's Hospital, South Eastern Sydney Area, Health Service, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Jain
Shilpa
S
Jyothi
M C
MC
D000328:Adult; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004522:Educational Status; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*