Health promotion approach to reduce unintentional home injuries of young children in rural villages in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Background: South East Asian region reports a higher risk for deaths from injuries and in Sri Lanka 16% child mortality is due to injuries. Objectives: To describe the types and extent of unintentional home injuries among children below 5 years of age, to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes and current practices of primary caregivers on reducing unintentional home injuries in two villages and to assess the effectiveness of a health promotion approach in rural villages in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. Method: A quasi experimental study was carried by selecting 2 rural villages. Baseline measures were gathered in experimental and control areas using a questionnaire, a history record index and a practice checklist. A health promotion intervention was administered in the experimental study area. The intervention was developed consulting the community and targeted identifying determinants of unintentional home injuries and improving knowledge, changing attitudes, obtaining family support and improving skills on identifying risks for home injuries. The health promotion intervention was delivered through lectures and activities. Post evaluation assessment was on change in practices which was the primary outcome, and the change in knowledge and attitudes were secondary outcomes. Results: Injury prevalence was 31% (CI 20.5- 43.1), burns (36.4%) being the most common. The difference between pre and post scores of mean practice was significantly higher (p=0.001) in the intervention group which showed knowledge improvement and a positive change in attitudes. Conclusions: Nearly one third of caregivers reported a home injury and the health promotion intervention was effective in improving injury prevention practices, knowledge and attitudes.