Prevalence and Outcome of Paediatric Domestic Accidents in a Tertiary Health Facility in Rivers State, Nigeria

Background: Unintentional injuries occurring in or within the vicinity of the home resulting in temporary or permanent health impairment are largely preventable. However, they are contributors to childhood morbidity and could lead to mortality in severe cases.

Objectives: This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence, pattern and outcome of domestic injuries among children admitted into the Children’s Emergency Room (CHER) in Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH).

Methods: This was a 5-year retrospective study of 179 children with domestic injuries admitted into the children’s emergency unit from January 2017 to December 2021. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, cause, type and outcome of domestic injuries were collected from their medical records and analyzed with SPSS version 23.

Results: A total of 3987 children aged < 18 years were admitted into CHER. Out of these, 179 (4.48%) children had injuries from domestic accidents. Majority of them 89 (46.9%) were under-fives and males 108 (60.3%). Three commonest causes of home accidents were falls 52 (29.1%), burns 44 (24.6%) and mechanical trauma 32 (17.8%). Common domestic injuries observed in the study were burns (24.6%), head injuries (20.7%), ingestion of poisonous substances (13.4%) and lacerations (11.7%). Burns injuries were significantly more prevalent among females and poisoning among males. Incidents of poisoning was significantly more prevalent among under-fives (21.4%) and animal bites (13.7%) among older children, (p value < 0.05). The mean duration of admission in the emergency room was 1.27 ± 1.90 days. Three children (1.7%) died in the emergency room and all mortalities occurred within 48 hours of admission.

Conclusion: Although the prevalence of domestic injuries among children in this study was low, parents, caregivers and the government can institute measures to further curb its incidence.