Perceptions of injury risk in the home and workplace in Nepal: a qualitative study

Epidemiology and perceptions of non-fatal burns among select youth (15-24 years old) from Peshawar Pakistan; a sequential explanatory mixed methods study

Purpose

Burns are among the top five cause of unintentional injuries among youth. We aimed to determine the incidence and risk factors of burns in select youth from Pakistan and also explored their perceptions about burns.

Methods

A sequential explanatory mixed methods study was conducted which comprised of two phases. Phase 1 consisted of a cross-sectional quantitative survey (QUAN) in which 550 vocational school youth (15 to 24 years-olds) filled out the WHO community survey tool for injuries and violence and provided data on burns in previous 12 months (2021-22). Phase 2 consisted of qualitative (QUAL), in-depth interviews (IDIs) with participants selected from Phase 1 based on the occurrence of burns. STATA™ version 15.1 was used for Phase 1 data analysis and Zero-Inflated Negative Binomial regression was used for determining the Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) of burns. Thematic analysis was performed for in-depth interviews from Phase 2.

Results

Out of 547 participants, 356 (65%) were males while 191 (35%) were females. Burns were reported by 85 participants (15%). A total of 137 counts of burns were reported showing multiple burns by some participants. The IRR for burns among young females was 2.89 (1.78-4.69) compared to males in the previous 12 months (2021-22). Age, sex, father's education, and combined family income were significant risk factors for burns in youth. Six IDIs were conducted with burn victims, two were males while six were females. Four cooking-related burns, and two occupational burns during vocational training were reported. Themes that emerged from IDIs were internal and external factors, personal carelessness and lack of knowledge and safety about burns. Two sub-themes that were significant for recovery from burns were family support and access to healthcare.

Conclusion

Young females are at a higher risk of burn injuries in Pakistan. Various social, demographic, and behavioral risk factors are associated with burns. Pre-burn and post-burn interventions are needed for prevention from burns in youth.

Behavioural and environmental risk factors for household injuries: semistructured interviews with health professionals and mothers in Iran

BACKGROUND

Injuries are increasing global public health problems, causing disability and death among children. This has considerable financial, emotional and social effects on families and society. This study aimed to investigate the behavioural and environmental factors leading to unintentional home injuries and attempts to highlight the pivotal role of mothers' behaviour and performance to provide a safe place for children at home.

METHODS

The current research is a qualitative study of a directed content analysis type. The data were gathered through semistructured interviews conducted in participants' workplaces, namely universities, research centres and health centres. In some cases, telephone interviews were conducted within 3 months, from February 2021 to May 2021 in Tehran, Iran. The participants were selected through non-probability and purposive sampling. All the recorded interviews and notes were accurately evaluated, and data analysis was performed based on the content analysis. There were 29 interviews in total: 12 interviews with mothers, 9 with treatment and prevention specialists, and 8 with researchers.

RESULTS

A total of 66 factors, 6 subcategories and 2 main categories were extracted after analysing the interviews. The main categories included environmental and behavioural factors. The subcategories included house infrastructure, house equipment/furniture, children's equipment/furniture, provision of precarious conditions, access to hazardous substances and appliances, and unsafe arrangement of furniture.

CONCLUSION

Despite the existing obstacles such as the long-term implementation, financial difficulties and overcomplicated policy-making process, health interventions can make it possible for mothers of children under the age of seven to adopt preventive measures through appropriately designed instructions and optimal use of existing facilities.

Educational and ecological assessment for unintentional injuries among children under 7 years: directed qualitative research based on PRECEDE-PROCEED model

BACKGROUND

Child injury is not seen as a new issue in medical science and public health; however, for years it has been either generally brushed aside or been conspicuously absent from the world health agenda. This study aims at investigating the factors leading to house injuries and attempts to highlight mothers' pivotal role to provide a safe place for children at home.

METHODS

A qualitative research method was used. There were 29 interviews in total: 12 interviews with mothers, 9 with cure and prevention specialists and 8 with researchers. The data were gathered through semistructured interviews conducted in participants' workplaces namely universities, research centres, health centres and in some cases through telephone in 3 months from February 2021 to May 2021 in Tehran, Iran. The participants were selected through non-probability and purposive sampling. All of the recorded interviews and notes were accurately evaluated and data analysis was performed based on the content analysis.

RESULTS

In this study, 29 participants' views were examined: 12 mothers (41.37%), 8 researchers (27.5%) and 9 treatment and prevention experts (31%). After the analysis of the interviews, 96 codes, 14 subcategories and 3 main categories were extracted. The main categories included the predisposing factors, reinforcing factors and enabling factors. The subcategories included perceived sensitivity, perceived susceptibility, health control centre, perceived benefits, observational or peripheral learning, social support, family support, abstract norms, valuing children's health, background factors, skills, rules and regulations, child's character traits and self-efficacy to overcome barriers.

CONCLUSION

House injuries among children are a complicated and multifaceted issue that requires a comprehensive investigation to determine the contributing factors.