Open AccessDomestic Accidents in Children Under 15 Years of Age in Kinshasa: About 80 Cases at the Pediatric Hospital of Kalembe-Lembe between 2019 and 2020
Author(s) -
Atuba Mamenepi Pascal,
Mokili Sambwa Yves,
Andjelani Ngongo Angel,
Mangbala Ekiebe Didier,
Lofandjola Masumbuku Jacques,
Panda Lukongo Kitronza Jean Paul,
Tshimungu Kandolo Félicien
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
saudi journal of medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2518-3397
pISSN - 2518-3389
DOI - 10.36348/sjm.2022.v07i03.004
Subject(s) - medicine , context (archaeology) , occupational safety and health , pediatrics , injury prevention , poison control , environmental health , demography , geography , archaeology , pathology , sociology
Context: Children are vulnerable people who in most cases are exposed to domestic accidents. These accidents occur most frequently in children under 15 years of age. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics of domestic accidents in children under 15 years of age hospitalized in Kinshasa. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted in Kinshasa among 80 children who were victims of domestic accidents between 2019 and 2020. A document analysis tool was used to collect data. Results: These domestic accidents affected more children under 5 years of age (median = 3.5) with a sex ratio of 1.3. They are mainly burning (38.8%) with boiling water as the origin (64.5%) as well as trauma (37.5%) following a fall (86.6%). They occurred more during the day (56.3%), in the playground (47.5%), or in the kitchen (32.5%). These accidents affected the head (35%) and the limbs. Wounds (42.5%) were the dominant type of injury, followed by fractures (32.5%). 81.2% of accidents were managed by health personnel and 40% left lameness consequently. Conclusion: Domestic accidents are common in Kinshasa. Raising the awareness of mothers and those in charge of their care would contribute effectively to their reduction or better prevention. These results constitute a basis for the development of a policy aimed at reducing these accidents.