An Analysis Of Characteristics And Influencing Factors Of Children Hospitalized With Unintentional Injuries

Objective:The aim of this study was to define theclinical epidemiological characteristicsof hospitalized children with unintentional injuries and analyze the causes and influencing factors of these injuries by using quantitative research and qualitative studies so as to formulate preventive interventions against them.Methods:This study is composed of two parts: a questionnaire survey and qualitative interviews.(1)Questionnaire Survey: From November 2016 to September 2017,the parents of the children who were hospitalized for treatment of an unintentional injury at a three-star children's hospital in Suzhou City were inquired to obtain i the basic information of the family and howthe accident happened.Univariate analysis of the influencing factors of unintentional injury was performed using spearman rank correlation and multivariate one conducted by using multiple linear regression analysis.(2)Qualitative Research: Qualitative interviews with parents of children hospitalized with unintentional injuries between November 2016 and September 2017 were conducted.Results:1.Clinical characteristics of unintentional injury: This study collected 205 cases including 128 boys(62.4%)and 77 girls(37.6%).The proportion of boys was significantly higher than that of girls.Falls,traffic accident injuries and burns were ranked as the top three reasons for unintentional injury among children,and falls was the leading cause of hospitalization for children who were accidentally hurt.A total of 87 cases were involved in falls(42.4%),46 cases were traffic accidents(account for 22.4%),and 43 cases were burns(21%).The age most likely to be injured unintentionally is preschool years(30.2%)and early childhood(24.4%).The unintentional injury occurred mainly at home(44.4%),in case of unintentionally injured children,their parents(77.6%)are the main caregiver and 70.7% of unintentional injuries did not receive any first aid measure after the injury occurred.The total medical expenses incurred were 4434844.27 yuan and the average medical expense was 21184.61 yuan.2.Influencing factors of unintentional injury: spearman rank correlation showed that children's age,parents' age,parents' education level,the size of the housing,safety education and training were statistically significant(P <0.05).Multiple linearity regression analysis showed that children's age ?mothers' educational level ? the size of the housing?safety education and trainingnumber were the influential factors of unintentional injuries(P<0.05).3.Qualitative research on real experience of unintentionally injured children's caregivers shows that they have weak safety awareness,lack of awareness of the risk factors for accidental injury.Conclusion:The occurrence of child unintentional injury is related to the age of the child,the status of receiving safety education and training,mothers' educational level ? and the size of the housing.It results from a combination of factors.Knowing the influencing factors of unintentional injury and adopting comprehensive intervention measures is the key to reduce the occurrence of this kind of injury.