[Cooperative program for domestic accidents of children in the department of Doubs. Epidemiological aspects]

Arch Fr Pediatr. 1988 Jun-Jul;45(6):423-7.
[Article in French]

Abstract

This work presents the results of a survey carried out among 818 families in the department of the Doubs. Each family had a child between one and 6 years of age. Its aim was to come as close as possible to exploring morbidity in accidents by questioning parents about the accidents which took place a month before the investigation, and to study the influence of certain psychosocial factors on this pathology, for example the attitude of parents confronted with risks. The annual accident morbidity rate was 1,056 accidents per 1,000 children. In other words, each child has, on the average, one accident per year. Even though no significant difference between town and country has been noted, serious accidents occurred more frequently in rural areas. This may be explained by the way dangerous products are stored (medicines, household cleaning and agricultural products), looser parental surveillance (predominance at games outside home), as well as the fact that children are more often in the kitchen when they are indoors, which is potentially the most dangerous room. Classical notions of disturbing events occurring prior to the accident (divorce, moving, a.s.o.) and children who are "repeat offenders" have also been noticed. The examination of parental attitude in dealing with the possibility of accidents (instructive, lax or repressive) did not allow us to demonstrate in any significant way the influence of these attitudes on accidental morbidity. On the other hand the so-called "instructive" parents are the ones who best put away the poisonous products. There is therefore, an encouraging connection between attitude and behavior.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Home / prevention & control*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • France
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Rural Population
  • Urban Population