THE KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND BEHAVIOR OF MOTHERS WITH CHILDREN AGED 0-6 YEARS ON HOME ACCIDENTS AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Abstract

Objective: Accidents have become an increasingly important cause of child deaths in both developed and developing countries. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of mothers of children in the the 0-6 age group on ways of protecting them accidents at home. Material and Methods: A prospective, single-center, descriptive-analytical study was conducted between February 2016 and March 2016. The study included 217 people at Şişli Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital Family Medicine Polyclinic. Results: The average age of mothers in our study was 33.32±5.64 years. Mothers with higher levels of education and with high incomes were found to have more knowledge about home accidents (p<0.001, p<0.001). As the number of children and people living in the house increased, the mother’s knowledge of home accidents and security precautions decreased. Mothers aged ≥35 years with a high educational level who had one child scored more points on the Scale of Recognizing Security Measures (p=0.005, p=0.009, p=0.017). Conclusion: Social awareness and business cooperation should be raised in the prevention of home accidents. Parents’ knowledge of precautions against accidents - especially mothers who spend most of their time with children - and the education they give their children is key for protection against accidents.