[Childhood injuries in northern Israel--prevalance and risk factors]

Injuries resulting from accidents in the home are among the most common causes of morbidity in children. Preventing these accidents by educating parents has proved to be the most successful way of reducing such accidents and protecting children.

To study the prevalence, demographic variables and risk factors of childhood injuries in Northern Israel and to determine risk groups for preventive activities.

The study was prospective and conducted during the year 2000 in 36 urban (not including Arab clinics) and rural community clinics of Clalit Health Services in Northern Israel that provided health care for approximately 62,000 children (about 55% of all children residing in these communities). The survey included all children 0-18 years of age admitted to the clinics with home injuries during the study period. Data regarding clinical, demographic and socioeconomic variables was obtained from parents or guardians by a detailed questionnaire. Statistical analysis of the data was conducted using Chi-Square to compare the different groups and logistic regression for analysis of risk factors for injury.

An overall number of 2,086 (prevalence of 3.2%) children were included in the study of whom 61.5% and 38.5% were non Jews and Jews, respectively, (prevalence of 4.2% and 2.2% respectively) and 66.5% of all the children were boys (p < 0.01). The most common injuries among both populations were falls, blows, burns, and cuts (43%, 23%, 15%, and 13% respectively). The injuries occurred at home, or close to the home (31%), at school or kindergarten (32%), or elsewhere (37%). Seventy eight percent and 49% of the injuries in the non-Jewish and Jewish populations, respectively, occurred at or around the home (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that falling was most prevalent outside the home in non-Jewish males older than 3 years. Burns were more prevalent at home in non-Jewish girls under the age of 3, and blows were prevalent in the Jewish population outside the home in children over the age of 3.

This study provides data that could direct preventive measures in the community in order to decrease the prevalence of injury to children. In order to be effective and have significant impact, these preventive activities should concentrate on specific risk groups.