UURIMISTÖÖDE ARTIKLID
EELKOOLIEALISTE LASTE KODUSED TAHTMATUD VIGASTUSED JA NENDE ENNETAMINE Unintentional home injuries and their prevention among pre-school children Aleksandra Moskalenko, Liina Vähi, Reet Urban
Abstract The main leading cause of death among children and adolescents in all European Union countries is unintentional injury. The death rate of injuries is higher than all other death causes combined. Children in ages 0 - 4 are the most threatened age group to sustain injury at home. The aims of the literature review were to describe unintentional injuries that happen with preschool aged children at home, to describe the risk factors that can lead to unintentional injuries and to describe methods that can be used to raise parents’ awareness about injury prevention. Unintentional injuries that happen to toddlers at home are mostly due to their physical and cognitive development. Most common injuries are falls, collisions, drowning, suffocation, burns and poisonings. Parents play a crucial part in injury prevention. Healthcare workers can contribute as well by advising, teaching the use of safety equipment and by performing home visits. Results of the study can be used by a spectre of healthcare workers who work directly with children and their parents. Findings help to understand the types of unintentional injuries and their correlation with risk factors can help to provide parents with needed information. Different methods of informing and teaching that can be used by healthcare workers are provided. Keywords: child, unintentional injuries, home, prevention, teaching 126
