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Prevalence of child injuries in Mbale region, Eastern Uganda
Ibingira, C.B.R.; Tumwiine, J.; Nankabirwa, P. & Nankunda, J.
Abstract
Background: The rate of unintentional child injuries in sub-Saharan Africa is at 53.1 per
100,000, The highest for low income regions, data on these injuries and associated
factors among children in Uganda is very scanty. Most child injuries are related to the way
of life in rural communities typically burns from charcoal stoves, candle light , hot fluids,
chemicals , falls, and animal bites .
Methods: This was a cross sectional community survey among the Promise EBF
participants in Mbale district of east Uganda.
Objective; to establish the prevalence, causes and associated factors of un-intentional
child injuries in Mbale District .
Results: The commonest unintentional injuries were, falls, and burns 11% of the children.
The main causes were hot water (43%) and burning charcoal stoves/firewood.
Predisposing factors to burns were residence in rural areas (OR 2.0; 95% CI: 1.1, 3.5) and
having three or more siblings (OR 1.6; 95% CI: 0.9, 2.8) .. 40% of the well off mothers and
those with at least 8 years of education were more likely to report their child injuries.
((OR: 1.7; 95% CI 1.0, 2.9) and (OR 1.5; 95% CI 1.0, 2.2) respectively).
Conclusion: The prevalence of unintentional injuries among children of this cohort of
mothers was high, caused by burns, falls, poisoning and animal bites .
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