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Injuries among preschool children enrolled in day-care centers
1Division of Population, School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles 90024.
Insights
Preschool boys aged 2-3 years had the highest injury rates in day-care centers. Most injuries were minor and preventable, often involving consumer products.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric injury prevention
- Childhood safety in educational settings
Background:
- Childhood injuries are a significant public health concern.
- Day-care centers provide a unique environment for studying injury patterns in young children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze injury incidents in preschool children attending day-care centers.
- To identify risk factors and patterns associated with these injuries.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 423 injury incidents.
- Data collected from the Los Angeles Unified School District (1983-1984).
- Analysis of injury rates by sex, age, time, and product involvement.
Main Results:
- Boys had a 1.5:1 higher relative risk of injury than girls.
- Younger boys (2-3 years) had the highest injury rate; older girls (4-5 years) had the lowest.
- Consumer products were involved in 53.7% of injuries; 75% were preventable.
Conclusions:
- Preschool boys face a higher risk of injury in day-care settings.
- Preventive strategies focusing on education, training, and product safety are crucial.
- Further prospective research is needed to implement effective injury reduction measures.
Abstract:
In this study, 423 injury incidents among preschool children enrolled in day-care centers reported to the Los Angeles Unified School District during the 2-year period 1983 to 1984 are reviewed. The relative risk of sustaining an injury between boys and girls was 1.5:1. Among sex and age groups, younger boys (2 to 3 years of age) showed the highest injury rate and older girls (4 to 5 years of age) showed the lowest. The overall incidence was 19.7 injuries per 1,000 child-years. The majority of the injuries were minor in severity, and medical attention was recommended in only 12.8% of the injuries. The highest incidence occurred during the late morning period (9 AM to 12 noon). A consumer product was involved in 53.7% of the incidents. Three of four injuries were considered preventable by training and/or education or by the Haddon injury reduction strategies. Additional prospective studies are needed to develop and implement preventive measures.