title: Profile and Risk Factor Analysis of Unintentional Injuries in Children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the profile and various risk factors associated with unintentional injuries in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study is a cross sectional analysis of data collected from 351 children presenting with unintentional injury to a tertiary care hospital in Navi Mumbai, India. Data were collected about variables based on Haddon Phase Factor Matrix - host, environment and agent factors. Proportions for categorical variables across various groups were compared using Chi square test or Fisher's exact test. Logistic regression model was used to evaluate the factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Falls (36 %) were the most common injuries followed by bites (23 %). Majority of children were school going children (38 %) followed by preschool children (29 %). Forty-seven percent were from lower socioeconomic class. Commonest place of injury was home (48 %) and the commonest time was evening (49 %). Though there was male predominance in injuries, the difference across gender did not vary significantly (p = 0.15). Poisonings were significantly more common in infants and toddlers and in rural population (p < 0.001); kerosene being the commonest agent. Rural population is at more risk of bites compared to urban (p < 0.001); dog bites being the commonest followed by scorpion bites. Foreign bodies were significantly more common in upper and middle socioeconomic class and bites, in lower socioeconomic class (p < 0.005). Injuries from rural area and lower socioeconomic class were more serious, requiring hospitalization; they were also more likely to present late to the hospital (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Profile of injuries varies widely as per the variations in agent, host and environmental factors. Socio-environmental, economic conditions and infancy-toddler age groups are predisposing risk factors for bites and poisoning. Although rural areas and lower socioeconomic class population are more vulnerable to serious types of injuries, they still lack essential basic medical care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Sir H.N. Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, 400004, India. dr.rahulbhamkar@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Rahul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bhamkar
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, MGM Medical College, Navi Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Bageshree
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Seth
authors.affiliation: MGM Institute of Health Sciences, Navi Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Maninder Singh
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Setia
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007223:Infant; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries
keywords: Agent-host-environmental factors; Children; Risk factors; Unintentional injury