Parental non-compliance to childhood safety practices: A cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Public Health
• Injury Prevention

Background:

• Childhood injuries are a significant public health concern.
• Understanding parental non-compliance with safety practices is crucial for prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate non-compliance patterns in childhood safety practices for children aged 1-5 years.
• To identify the underlying reasons for this non-compliance.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, cross-sectional study involving 120 children aged 1-5 years.
• Data collected via questionnaire-based interviews with primary caregivers.
• Poor compliance defined as adherence to less than 85% of recommended practices.

Main Results:

• 32 out of 48 injuries (66.6%) were serious, with falls and burns/scalds being most common.
• 72.5% of families exhibited overall poor compliance with safety practices.
• Lowest compliance rates were observed for helmet use, limiting pillion riders, car seatbelt use, and avoiding choking hazards for children under 3.

Conclusions:

• Significant non-compliance exists regarding motor vehicle safety and avoiding choking hazards.
• Parental perceptions of practices being 'unnecessary' and 'lack of knowledge' are key reasons for non-compliance.
• Enhancing parental awareness and addressing perceptions are vital for preventing unintentional childhood injuries.