Determinants of Domestic Accidents in the Urban Field Practice Area of a Medical College in South India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Domestic accident is one of the five leading causes of death due to injuries in industrialized and developing countries. It is often determined by various factors like human, environmental and psychosocial factors. The resulting injury can largely be reduced by prompt identification and elimination of the risk factors. Not many studies are available regarding domestic accidents, their determinants and awareness. With this background the present study was carried out. Objectives: To assess the factors contributing to domestic accidents, to describe the immediate care given to manage domestic accidents, to find out the health seeking pattern and treatment outcomes among subjects with domestic accidents, to determine the association between domestic accidents and various socio-demographic characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional study was done in the urban field practice area of a medical college in South India. Probability Proportional to Population Size (PPPS) was the sampling technique used. All individuals residing in the area for a minimum period of 6 months were included in the study. A total of 5282 study subjects were interviewed using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Data was entered into Microsoft excel and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: In the present study the prevalence of domestic accidents was 9.6%. Falls accounted for 47.7% of the domestic accidents. The most common human factor contributing to domestic accidents was visual impairment followed by illiteracy which was the most common psycho-social factor noted. Most of the study subjects, i.e., 82%, were treated at home and majority of them i.e., 91.1% recovered completely. A statistically significant association was found between domestic accidents and various socio-demographic characteristics. Conclusion: The prevalence of domestic accidents was 9.6%. The major determinants (human, environmental and psychosocial factors) of domestic accidents were visual impairment, Diabetes, Arthritis, Slippery floors, Kitchen clutter and Illiteracy.