Risk factors for occurrence of domestic accidents involving children under the age of five : implications for nursing care

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Accidents in chilhood are an important theme for Public Health due to what they represent and also to the repercussions children and their family may present. To investigate the association between risk factors and the occurrence of domestic accidents involving children under the age of five in a municipality in the countryside of northeastern Brazil. METHOD: Analytical, cross-sectional study.Primary care. Conducted with 330 caregivers by means of a form for environmental observation as well asa socio-demographic questionnaire. Risk factors for the occurrence of domestic accidents involving children under the age of five. RESULTS: Accidents occurred at home in 97% of cases, with falls being the most common (88.2%). The logistic regression model showed that if the number of residents in the household is more than four people, the chance of accidents increases by 2.9 times;the presence of stairs/steps with no handrail increases the chance with 14.9; exits and passageways that are blocked with toys or other obstructive items, increases the risk 11.3 times;cleaning products / insecticides stored in low places increases the number of accident by almost 16 times. CONCLUSION: The study allows nurses to rethink their actions and prioritize the prevention of domestic accidents in the care of children's health, while valuing the dynamics of the family context.