Nouhjah S^1,2 * (MSc), Ghanavatizadeh A² (BSc), Eskandri N² (BSc), Daghlavi M² (BSc)

  ¹ Social Determinants of Health Research Center, School of Health,

  Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

  ² Department of Public Health, School of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

  Received: 1 Feb 2012, Accepted: 27 Aug 2012

  Abstract

  Introduction: Injuries are leading causes of death and disability in children, worldwide. Few studies have focused on injuries in children in Iran. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of non-fatal home injuries and its related factors among children attending health centers in Ahvaz, 2011.

  Methods: In this cross-sectional pilot study, 400 children seeking for routine child care in 12 health centers of Ahvaz were selected for study. Data were collected using a questionnaire which was completed by trained individuals. We used the "WHO guideline for external injury" for classifying and coding the data. Data were analyzed in the SPSS-16 using the Chi-square test and Regression Logistic. This was a section of a larger study to assess the prevalence and related factors of home injury in children attending health centers in the Khuzestan province.

  Results: The overall prevalence of injury among under five years children was 40% (n=156). Four common causes of injury were falls (30.1%), swallowing (22%), burns (16.8%) and poisoning (11.4%). Logistic Regression test showed a significant association between injury with type of house (OR=2.52 95% CI 1.34-4.76), and age of children (OR=0.031 95% CI 0.01-0.81 P<0.05).

  Conclusion: Results of this pilot study showed that the prevalence of injuries was in an alarming level in children attending health centers of Ahvaz. Surveillance system of home injury should be considered as a part of mother and child health program.

  Key words: home injury, children, health centers, Ahvaz