There is limited epidemiological data on childhood injuries in developing countries. This study assessed the incidence, patterns and risk factors for injuries among children aged 0-5 years in Wakiso District, Uganda. To determine differences, chi-square and Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used. Risk factors were assessed using Poisson regression. Overall, information from 359 children of mean age 32 months (SD: 18.4) was collected. Annual incidence of injuries was 69.8 per 1000 children/year (95% CI 58.8-80.8). One fatal injury due to burns was reported. Incidence of injuries was less associated with being female (IRR: 0.56, 95% CI 0.34-0.90) and increasing age of the caretaker (IRR: 0.96, 95% CI 0.92-0.99). The high incidence of childhood injuries necessitates the need for interventions to reduce injuries among children.
Keywords: Childhood injuries; Uganda; children; low- and middle-income countries.