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The epidemiology of childhood injury in Maputo, Mozambique
Insights
Childhood injuries are common in Maputo, Mozambique, with falls, burns, and road traffic incidents being most frequent. Many injuries are unintentional and preventable, highlighting the need for targeted safety programs.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Injury Prevention
Background:
- Injury is a significant global cause of death and disability.
- Childhood injuries represent a substantial public health burden, particularly in low and middle-income countries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize childhood injuries presenting to hospitals in Maputo, Mozambique.
- To identify common injury mechanisms and demographic factors in pediatric trauma patients.
Main Methods:
- An observational, prospective convenience study was conducted in June-July 2007.
- Data were collected from 335 children (0-14 years) at three Maputo hospitals.
- Information on injury mechanism, circumstances, and time to presentation was recorded.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of trauma complaints was 12%, higher in boys and children aged 5-9 years.
- Falls (40.6%), burns (19.1%), and road traffic injuries (RTI) (14.3%) were the leading causes.
- Unintentional falls at home were common; burns often involved hot liquids, and most RTIs involved pedestrians. Lower family income was associated with higher trauma rates.
Conclusions:
- Childhood injury constitutes a significant disease burden in Maputo.
- Injury patterns are similar to those in other low and middle-income countries.
- Targeted prevention and emergency care programs for children and communities are recommended.
Background:
Injury remains a major cause of death and disability worldwide.
Aims:
This study describes the characteristics of childhood injury at three hospitals in Maputo, Mozambique.
Methods:
An observational, prospective convenience study was conducted in June and July 2007. We prospectively collected data on 335 children (0-14 years) who presented to three hospitals in Maputo during the study period.
Results:
The prevalence of trauma-related complaints on presentation to the hospital in this study was 12%, with higher rates in boys (59%) and in those between the ages of 5-9 years (34.9%). Falls were the most common mechanism of injury (40.6%), followed by burns (19.1%) and road traffic injuries (RTI) (14.3%). The majority of falls occurred in the home (61.8%) and were unintentional. (94.1%) Burns were predominantly due to hot liquids (82.8%) and less frequently due to fire (17.2%). The majority of burns involved the patient alone (62.5%). The majority of RTIs were pedestrians struck by vehicles (81.2%). A substantial number of patients presented more than 24 h after injury (23.3%). Children from households living with a lower family income in general suffered trauma more often regardless of the mechanism.
Conclusions:
Childhood injury accounts for a substantial burden of disease in Maputo, Mozambique. This study highlights the fact that many of these injuries are consistent with the injury patterns seen in children in other low and middle income countries, and are amenable to prevention, access, and emergency care programs targeted at children and their families, schools, and the local and national community.
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