Year: 2026 | Month: August | Volume: 16 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 12-27
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20260802
Assessment of Caregiver’s Knowledge, Attitude, Practices and Prevalence of Unintentional Childhood Injuries Among Children in Surat District, Gujarat
Shreya Parmar1, Mamta Rani2, Rutu Buch3
1Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Dr. Kiran C. Patel Medical College & Research Institute, Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (VNSGU), Bharuch, Gujarat, India.
2Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College,
Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (VNSGU), Surat, Gujarat, India.
3Post MD Tutor, Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College,
Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (VNSGU), Surat, Gujarat, India.
Corresponding Author: Dr. Shreya Parmar
ABSTRACT
Background: Unintentional injuries are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children and a major public health concern. Most childhood injuries are preventable through supervision, safe home environments, and first-aid measures. This study assessed injury prevalence among children aged 0–14 years and evaluated caregivers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices in selected urban and rural areas.
Materials and Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 206 caregivers of children aged 0–14 years residing in urban and rural field practice areas. Participants were selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: Among 206 caregivers, the 6-month prevalence of unintentional injuries was 26.69% (95% CI: 20.8–33.1). The mean age of mothers and fathers was 28.52 ± 5.16 years and 31.58 ± 5.73 years, respectively, while the mean age of children was 7.27 ± 3.32 years. Falls were the most common injury (23/55, 41.8%), followed by burns (12/55, 21.8%) and cuts (10/55, 18.2%). Most caregivers demonstrated fair knowledge (133, 64.56%), positive attitudes (113, 54.85%), and good preventive practices (122, 59.22%). Knowledge regarding first aid for falls (191, 92.7%), poisoning (190, 92.23%), and animal bites (178, 86.40%) was satisfactory, whereas knowledge of burns (45, 21.84%) and electrical injuries (27, 13.10%) was poor. Knowledge was significantly associated with father's occupation (p=0.014), while attitude was associated with father's education (p=0.004), mother's occupation (p=0.007), and socioeconomic status (p=0.008).
Conclusion: Unintentional childhood injuries remain common and largely preventable. Strengthening caregiver education, home safety promotion, and first-aid training may improve injury prevention practices and reduce the burden of childhood injuries.
Key words: Child; Unintentional injuries; Caregivers; First aid; Injury prevention; Knowledge, attitude and practice