FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO HOME ACCIDENTS IN CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS IN BULWA ZONE, LUBAGA DIVISION, KAMPALA DISTRICT.A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Abstract

Background:

Globally, 830,000 children die due to home accidents worldwide corresponding to 2000 deaths per day. Furthermore, Uganda has an under-five child mortality rate of 90 deaths per 1000 live births with 5% attributed to home accidents mainly falls and burns. The purpose of the study was to determine the factors contributing to home accidents in children after five years in Bulwa zone, Lubaga division, Kampala District.

Methodology:

The study used a descriptive cross-sectional study design that involved quantitative data collection methods. A sample size of 30 was selected using a simple random sampling method. Structured questionnaires were used to collect that were analyzed using the Microsoft Excel program 2016 for presentation into tables and figures.

Results:

The findings on caretaker-related factors included; 70% never had time to watch children while playing, 60% disagreed with restricting children while playing and 68.8% reported a history of home accidents in the children while drunk. Child-related factors ranged from 93.3% reported that gender contributes to a home accident with all reported males being the most affected gender, 33.3% reported that their children engaged in active games like football and running and 66.7% children had not been trained about prevention of home accidents. Environmental factors were; that 53.3% had cemented floors, 36.7% had dogs at home, and 70%) were cooking on the veranda.

Conclusion:

The study concluded that caretaker-related factors, child-related factors, and environmental factors were contributing to home accidents. 

Recommendation: 

Training children on the prevention of home accidents should be done and also encouraging mothers to restrict and monitor their children from engaging in risky activities.