POSSIBLE
EXPLANATIONS FOR VARIATION RATES OF CHILDREN’S OUTDOOR INJURIES
Hamid Soori
Ahwaz University of Medical Sciences,
Ahwaz-Iran- P.O.Box: 61355-45
Ahwaz, Iran
Background: Many accidents in
children occur during after-school hours. Rates of outdoor accidental
injuries are higher in older children, boys and more economically deprived
children.
Objectives: The main objective of
this study is to explore possible explanations for these variations. This
study investigates the role of children’s activities, and parents’and
children’s opinions on after-school accidental injuries. It explores the
relevance of children's play patterns, parental supervision, children's
perceptions of safety and danger, their risk-taking behaviour, and parents'
opinions on the causes and control of children’ accidents.
Methods: This was a
cross-sectional study. Information was collected from children and parents
(by self completed questionnaires).
Results: The child injury
information reported by parents showed similarities to the local and
national picture of childhood injuries. Most parents judged the outdoor
places where their children played as safe. Differences were not found by
deprivation. Most parents were aware of the causes and control of
accidental injuries. More economically deprived parents were more likely to
have an atalistic view of childhood accidents than less economically
deprived parents. The play patterns of older children, boys, and poorer
children exposed them to more hazardous situations than younger children,
girls, and affluent children. Parents of older children, boys and more
economically deprived parents were more likely to allow their children to
take part in outdoor activities. Children overestimated what their parents
allowed them to do. Parents of boys and more economically deprived parents
believed that children are able to do outdoor activities at an earlier age
than other parents There were some differences in children’ risk perception
of outdoor activities by age, sex and deprivation. The proportion of
occasions when parents agreed with children’ assessment of their risk
perception was lower than expected. Boys and more economically deprived
children were more likely to take risks than girls and less economically
deprived children.
Conclusions:
The findings help to understand the higher rates of after-school injuries
in older children, boys and those who live in more economically deprived
areas. This study emphasises the importance of play near the home and the
need to consider children’ favourite activities in relation to childhood
accidents. Recommendation is made for further study and methods to reduce
accidents during after-school hours.