title: Pattern of childhood falls in a low-income setting: a cross-sectional study in Dar es Salaam.
abstract: The objective was to determine patterns and circumstances of childhood falls in a low-income setting in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This cross sectional study is based on a household survey conducted in July 2009.   A total of 3927 children up to age 18 from 1928 households in 15 sampled wards were surveyed through a structured questionnaire. The current study includes information regarding fall occurrence, socio-demographic and economic factors. Data were analysed using chi-square, t-test and logistic regression. Male children had 42% higher odds of falls compared to females, and rural residents had more than two times higher odds compared to urban residents. Falls occurred three times more among age group 1-4 and two times more among age group 5-9 compared to those between 15 and 18 years. Most falls occurred outdoors (62%) while playing (51%) with boys being over-represented. Females and children aged 1-4 years fell more from stairs whereas most infants fell from furniture. Male gender, younger age groups and rural residence were significant factors for fall injuries. The circumstances in which these falls occur also differ significantly. Intervention efforts should emphasise these patterns.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Division of Global Health/IHCAR, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. benjamin.kamala.182@student.ki.se
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kamala
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hasselberg
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011634:Public Health; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013397:Sudan / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires