Abstract:
The present descriptive research aimed at investigating the factors associated to home
injuries in preschool children, including personal factors (gender and personal characteristics
of children), social factors (age of parents, educational of parents, occupation of mothers,
number of children in the family, and family income), and environmental factors (home
environment), with the number of injuries as the dependent variable. The data were collected
by interviewing parents or caretakers of 120 preschool children aged three to five years in
Ratchaburi Province to elicit data regarding types and numbers of injuries in the past three
months. Data were then analyzed by means of Chi-square test.
The findings of the study revealed that of the 120 subjects, 60% were boys and 40%
were girls. Most of the subjects had personal characteristics as they were unable to be still for
a long period of time. Instead, 75.8% of them were very active and liked to climb or jump up
and down. On average, the subjects had 2.1 siblings in the family, and the mean ages of their
fathers and mothers were 32.9 and 30.2 years, respectively. Most of their parents were still in
the working age group. They had completed elementary education, and most worked as wage
earners. The average family income was 10,069 Baht per month.
The findings of the study revealed that there was a statistically significant association
between childrens personal characteristics and home injuries in preschool children (χ2 =
17.83, df = 2, P < .001) However, the other factors was not associated to home injuries in
preschool children.
The present study sheds light on the significance of prevention of home injuries in
preschool children. Parents should take care of their own children, or find baby sisters or
caretakers who understand specific characteristics of each child so as to provide proper care
that ensures childrens safety and well-being.