Pattern and relevant factors of child injury –Hospital based study in accident and emergency service unit at Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Sri Lanka

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the Pattern and relevant associated factors of injuries among children admitted to accident and emergency service at Lady Ridgeway Hospital Material and Methodology: This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in the accident service of LRH in 2016 with a total of 354 children admitted injuries. Children were recruited using systematic random sampling at the accident and emergency service unit. Data was analyzed using standard descriptive statistics on Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21 and associations were analyzed using chi square test, taken p< 0.05 as significant. Results: Most of child injuries occurred at home (n=264, 74.6%) and Most frequently occurred injury was fall (n=243, 60%) followed by road traffic accidents (38, 10.9%) and cut injuries (39, 11.4%) respectively. Most of admitted children (n=248, 70.1%) were boys. Majority (n=182, 51.6%) of them were between 3 to 6 years of age and 103(29.2%) of children were less than three years of age. More than 90% of children were not suffering from chronic illness or disability. Conclusions: Majority of children admitted with injuries was boys and between 3 to 6 years of age .Three fourth of the injuries occurred at home and fall was the commonest injury. Majority of injured children were previously healthy.