Voices from the ground: community perspectives on preventing unintentional child injuries in low-income settings
File(s)ijerph-21-00272.pdf (935.54 KB)
Published version
Author(s)
Puvanachandra, Prasanthi
Mugeere, Anthony
Ssemugabo, Charles
Kobusingye, Olive
Peden, Margaret
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Unintentional injuries significantly contribute to mortality and morbidity among children under five, with higher prevalence in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Deprived communities in these regions face increased injury risks, yet there is limited research on child safety tailored to their unique challenges. To address this gap, we conducted focus group discussions in rural Uganda, involving parents, village health workers, community leaders, teachers, and maids. The objective was to understand community perceptions around child safety and determine what culturally and age-appropriate solutions may work to prevent child injuries. Analysis of discussions from ten focus groups revealed five main themes: injury causes, child development and behavior, adult behavior, environmental factors, and potential safety kit components. Common injuries included falls, burns, drowning, and poisoning, often linked to environmental hazards such as unsafe bunk beds and wet floors. Financial constraints and limited space emerged as cross-cutting issues. Participants suggested educational resources, first aid knowledge, and practical devices like solar lamps as potential solutions. The study presents invaluable insights into child safety in rural Ugandan homes, emphasizing the role of community awareness and engagement in designing effective, accessible interventions. It underscores the importance of context-specific strategies to prevent childhood injuries in similar resource-constrained environments.
Date Issued
2024-03
Date Acceptance
2024-02-22
Citation
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2024, 21 (3), pp.1-15
ISSN
1660-4601
Publisher
MDPI AG
Start Page
1
End Page
15
Journal / Book Title
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume
21
Issue
3
Copyright Statement
© 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
License URL
Identifier
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/3/272
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
272
Date Publish Online
2024-02-27