Abstract
Poisoning and road traffic accidents (R.T.A.) are considered nowadays a problem to the health authorities [Sznajder et al, 2001]. The majority of poisoning reported to the American Association Control Center result from ingestion; and children below 6 years old comprise 2.7 percent of facilities [Erickson, 2002]. The majority of poisoning reported to the American Association Control Center result from ingestion; and children below 6 years old comprise 2.7 percent of facilities [Erickson, 2002].
The aim of the study are to evaluate the safety practices applied by the parents for the storage of drugs, antiseptic, matches boxes, and kerosene in their home; to estimate the prevalence of road traffic accidents among children; and to find any association between it and some demographic factors. This study is a cross-sectional one done in Pediatric consultation unit of Azadi Teaching Hospital in Kirkuk city during the period 1st. Jan.-30th April 2011; where 200 parents
(father or mother) having children 1-6 years old and attending the pediatric unit for solving health problem of their children and chosen randomly and interviewed by a special questionnaire and consist of information about age and educational level of the parents; whether the mother working outside the home or not, number of their children, and methods of storage of drugs, antiseptic substances ,and kerosene in their home, and any previous history of poisoning or R.T.A. The study concluded that the majority of the families kept their drugs ,antiseptic material ,matches boxes, and kerosene in unsafe places (77.5 %, 75.5 %,74%,and 10% respectively ) and about 19% of children whose parents allowed them to play bicycle had history of R.T.A., and 15.3% of children play (unsupervised by their parent) in the street exposed to R.T.A.
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