Factors associated with under- fives unintentional injuries in Kgalagadi South, Botswana.

Abstract

The study determined the prevalence and factors associated with unintentional injuries among under- fives in Kgalagadi South. A descriptive cross- sectional study was conducted between November 2020 and February 2021 using a multi- stage sampling technique to recruit 389 guardians with children aged five years and below. Self-administered questionnaires were used for the literate population, while interviewer-administered questionnaires were used for the population with limited literacy to elicit information from the guardians. Chi- square, univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used for inferential analysis. The prevalence of unintentional injuries was 48.8%. There was a significant association between injury occurrence and guardians' employment status, alcohol consumption and non- medicinal drug use by the guardian, cigarette use by the guardian, household income level, gender and age of the child who got injured. The guardians age and cigarette use by the guardian were identified as independent risk factors for injury occurrence among under- five children. The findings highlight the need for policymakers and practitioners to develop policies that support comprehensive health education for caregivers on childhood injury prevention and creating a safe environment for children.