Unintentional Childhood injuries in Negev Bedouins: mechanisms, risks and strategies for prevention.

Abstract

The Bedouin population of the Negev experiences the highest child mortality rate from unintentional childhood injury (UCI) in Israel. This study examines the underlying mechanisms of fatal UCI in Bedouin communities and proposes the culturally tailored prevention strategies. Data were collected from multiple sources, including national mortality records, hospitalization and emergency department data, and the Israel Trauma Registry. UCI mortality among Arabs was 2.9 times higher than among Jews, with traffic accidents as the leading cause. Bedouin communities had a 3.14-fold higher UCI mortality rate than other Muslim communities and 2.7 times higher than Arab municipalities with religious heterogeneity. Over half (53.3%) of UCI deaths in Bedouin towns and villages occurred near the home, significantly higher than the national average, often involving toddlers (0-4 years) run over by family members. These findings underscore the need for community-driven, evidence-based interventions to reduce UCI mortality in Bedouin populations and improve child safety in marginalized communities.