Prevalence of domestic accidents among under-five children in urban field practice of Belagavi

Background: Injuries among the children is a preventable public health problem. Home accidents are the main cause of mortality and morbidity in early childhood and a major factor in lost productive life. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of domestic accidents and its association with socio-demographic factors. Material & Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 540 under-five children in an urban field practice area of Belagavi. Data was collected using a validated questionnaire from the parents or caretakers of the children. Data was entered into Microsoft Excel, and analyzed with IBM SPSS version 25. Results: Among the 540 under-five children studied, majority were in the age group 25-36 months (35.4%), with more females (52.2%). Majority belonged to SES Class III (37.2%), with most parents having a secondary level education and were living in nuclear families. The prevalence of domestic accidents among under-five children was 135 (25%) in the preceding 3 months. Most common types of domestic injuries were due to fall from height (60.7%). Conclusion: The study found a significant prevalence of domestic accidents among under-five children in an urban field practice area of Belagavi. Domestic accidents is a largely preventable public health problem. Community based interventions can play a key role in minimizing childhood accidents. Primary prevention through education, environmental modification and targeted support to high-risk families should be carried out. Strengthening caregiver awareness, improving supervision and promoting household safety measures are crucial to reduce these preventable injuries