Kurdistan Journal of Applied Research (KJAR) | Print-ISSN: 2411-7684 – Electronic-ISSN: 2411-7706 | kjar.spu.edu.iq Volume 2 | Issue 1 | June 2017 | DOI: 10.24017/science.2017.1.7 Assessment the knowledge of mothers ‘toward home accident among children less than five years in Polytechnic University of Sulaimani Abstract: Children accidents are an essential source of death and wounds among children during the first of life. Annually, millions of children are constantly becoming handicap or blemished because of mishaps. Objective: To assess knowledge of children mothers toward home accidents in polytechnic University of Sulaimani. Methodology: A simple random sample of (110) respondents were selected.. The data collected and composed during the utilization of a created questionnaire, with two parts; the first part assessed the knowledge of children mothers with (20) yes or no questions and the second part includes the mothers' demographic attributes. A pilot study was carried out for the period of December 18th to 28th 2015 in order to conclude the questionnaire accuracy during the use of (Test – Retest). A panel of (8) experts was include in the determination of the questionnaire content validity Data were analyzed through the application of descriptive statistical data analysis approach (frequency and percentage), and inferential data analysis approach (Mean of Scores).). The results of the study revealed, the mean age of the mothers was (1.86) years, (58.2%) of them had completed secondary school, (88.2%) of mothers have more than five children, (89.1%) of mother’s were in moderate socio-economic status, (47.3%) of mothers have personal reading information,(58.2) of the child were male,(13.6%) of mothers have knowledge about safe housing condition held in Maternal and Child Health Centers. The conclusion of this study revealed that, inadequate children mothers’ knowledge regarding home accidents among children less than six years held in Maternal and Child Health Centers during the antenatal period. So the recommendation are suggested, reinforces the need for effective education program via mass media, for mothers. Key words: Mothers' knowledge ,Children less than five years, Emergency exit, Fire extinguisher, Burning appliances. 1. INTRODUCTION Nowadays, child safety remains an important anxiety of parents. Children are exposed to injury risk as they grow, Children have a very bounded ability to react quickly and properly in an emergency situation as well as they acquire little control over their environment, which increase the risk of accidents and death [1]. Accidents, fatal and nonfatal, are principal hazards to the preschool child. Home safety and accident prevention are thus main child health trouble today. Supreme of children feel harmless and safe in their home, yet unfortunately at home is where most deaths and injuries happen [2]. Injuries occure in the home are primarily related to a child's age and scale of development. It can sometimes be tricky for parents to keep up with their child’s capabilities. Local episode cases replicate extra visibly than any other, the character and life of people. Recent forms of injury attributable to home mishaps increase, with each cultural change or new technical [3]. Episodes can happen in a widespread several of environments but the household is the most probable domestic for accidents comprising children. Mishaps take place in the household are a foremost cause of wound and death that definitely connect to the years of life that are probability lost [4]. Accidental injury is one of the principal single causes of death in Ireland for children over the age of one. More children die each year as a consequence of accidents than from illnesses such as leukemia or meningitis [4]. In Egypt in 1998, the overall prevalence of injuries in indoor home environment was 72.5% among children below 5 years [5]. Consistently in 1998, the occurrence of household coincidences among children age (0-<18) year in El- Assara village, in Assiut Governorate was 59% [6]. 2. MATERIAL AND METHODS The present study was carried out through the application of quantitative design of a descriptive study which uses the assessment approach, and it was conducted on mothers in polytechnic University of Sulaimani. from January 16th 2016 to april 2th, 2016. Non-probability sampling a convenience sample of (110) mothers who was selected for the purpose of the study. A questionnaire was developed , it was comprised of two Attallah O. Qasem Department of Community health, Sulaimani Polytechnic University Sulaimani, Iraq Atta.kasem@sup.edu.iq Layla A. Abas Department of Nursing, Sulaimani Polytechnic University, Sulaimani, Iraq abaslayla@yahoo.com Faisal Abdula Salih Department of Medical Laboratory, Sulaimani Polytechnic University, Sulaimani, Iraq faisal.salih@spu.edu.iq Muhammed S. Qadir Department of Medical Laboratory, Sulaimani Polytechnic University, Sulaimani, Iraq muhammed.qadir@spu.edu.iq Burhan A. Hama Hussein Higher Health Institutions Ministry of Health Kirkuk, Iraq Brhanali71@yahoo.com https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=21&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiIpeqZr9PUAhWHQBoKHR19BuMQFgiXATAU&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fhs.gov.hk%2Fenglish%2Fcentre_det%2Fmaternal%2Fmaternal.html&usg=AFQjCNFg2rrDk8Ki_aySOkJTUftI3gRHMQ https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=21&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiIpeqZr9PUAhWHQBoKHR19BuMQFgiXATAU&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fhs.gov.hk%2Fenglish%2Fcentre_det%2Fmaternal%2Fmaternal.html&usg=AFQjCNFg2rrDk8Ki_aySOkJTUftI3gRHMQ https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=21&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiIpeqZr9PUAhWHQBoKHR19BuMQFgiXATAU&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fhs.gov.hk%2Fenglish%2Fcentre_det%2Fmaternal%2Fmaternal.html&usg=AFQjCNFg2rrDk8Ki_aySOkJTUftI3gRHMQ https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=21&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiIpeqZr9PUAhWHQBoKHR19BuMQFgiXATAU&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fhs.gov.hk%2Fenglish%2Fcentre_det%2Fmaternal%2Fmaternal.html&usg=AFQjCNFg2rrDk8Ki_aySOkJTUftI3gRHMQ mailto:faisal.salih@spu.edu.iq parts; the first first part includes the mothers' demographic attributes and the second part assessed the knowledge of mothers with (20) yes or no questions A pilot study was carried out for the period of December 18th to 28th 2015 in order to conclude the questionnaire acuracy during the use of (Test – Retest). A panel of (8) experts was include in the determination of the questionnaire content validity. The accomplished data of the respondent’s responses to the questionnaire were entered into the computer and analyzed over use (SPSS 11.5); The obtained data of the respondent’s responses to the questionnaire were entered in to the computer and analyzed through the use of the statistical package social sciences (SPSS 11.5); the data analyzed was preformed through the following approaches, which are: descriptive statistical data analysis approach such as (frequency and percentage), and inferential data analysis approach (Mean of Scores).). 3. RESULTS Table 1. Distribution of the subjects (110 mothers’) by their Socio-demographic attributes Table (1) illustrate that these risk factors (age, educational level of mother , socio-economic status, source of information, health education for Age (Years) Percentage % M.S Sig. a. 18-27 years 35 (31.8) 1.86 HS b. 28-37 years 57 (51.8) c- 38-47 years 16 (14.5) d- ≤ 48 years 2 (1.8) Total (100.0) Educational level of mother Percentage % 4.24 HS a-Read and write 4 ( 3.6) b-Elementary school only 4 (3.6) c- Secondary school only 64 (58.2) d- Institute Graduate 38 (34.5) Total (100.0) Family size Percentage % 1.12 N.S a- ≥5 97 (88.2) b) <5 13 (11.8) Total (100.0) Socio-economic status:- Percentage % 2.09 HS a- Low 1(.9) b- Moderate 98 (89.1) c- High 11 (10.0) Total (100.0) Source of information Percentage % a- Media 28 (25.5) 3.45 HS b-Health Centers 9 (8.2) c- The physician 10 (9.1) d-Relatives 11 (10.0) e-Personal reading 52 (47.3) Total (100.0 Health education for mothers’ about safe housing condition held in MCHC Percentage % 1.86 HS Available 15 (13.6) Unavailable 95 (86.4) Total (100.0) Child’s age (years) Percentage % 1.50 S a- 2 ≤ 2 years 55 (50.0) b- 3 ≤ 5 years 55 (50.0) Total ( 100.0) Child’s sex Percentage % 1.42 S a- Male 64 958.2) b-Female 46 (41.8 ) Total ( 100.0) M.S= Mean of Scores Sig. = significant HS= height significant mothers’)does have an effect on the home accidents among children less than five years in Polytechnic University of Sulaimani Table (2).knowledge of the 110 children mothers’ concerning home accidents List Items Yes No Percentage % Percentage % 1 Knowledge regarding causes of home accidents 87 (79.1) 23 (20.9) 2 Fit restrictors to upstairs windows cannot be opened more than 6.5cm 51(46.4) 59 (53.6) 3 keep chairs and other climbing objects away from windows and balconies 22 (20.0 88 (80.0) 4 Secure any furniture and kitchen appliances to the wall if there’s a risk to be pulled over 99( 90.0) 11 (10.0) 5 Ensure there is enough light on the stairs 96(86.3 14 (12.7 6 Keep balcony doors locked to prevent child from going on to it alone 97(88.2 13 (11.8) 7 Have an emergency exit at home? 19 (17.3) 91 (82.7) 8 Curtain and blind pull cords kept short and out of reach of children. 52 (47.3) 58 (52.7) 9 keep small objects out of the reach of small children 108 (98.2) 2 (1.8) 10 Choose toys designed for the age of baby or child 101 (91.8) 9 (8.2) 11 Encourage older children to keep their toys away from their younger playmates 84 (76.4) 26 (23.6) 12 Have a fire extinguisher in home 52 (47.3) 58 (52.7) 13 Switch off electrical items at night, before getting to bed 81 (73.6) 29 (26.4) 14 Learn family what to do in case of a fire 78 (70.9) 32 (29.1) 15 Always place hot drinks out of children’s reach 105 (95.5) 5 (4.5) 16 Drink anything hot when a child in her arms 52 (47.3) 58 (52.7) 17 checking the water is too hot Before bathing baby or child, 108 (98.2) 2 (1.8) 18 Keep anything that may be poisonous out of reach, preferably in a locked cupboard 108 (98.2) 2 (1.8) 19 Dispose of unwanted medicines and chemicals carefully 103 (93.6) 7 (6.4) 20 Take care of carbon fuel burning appliances (such as gas, coal, wood, oil burners) serviced every year 106 (96.4) 4 (3.6) The table (2) demonstrates that children mothers have information about checking the water is too hot before bathing baby or child, keeping anything that may be poisonous out of reach, dispose of unwanted medicines and chemicals carefully, Take care of carbon fuel burning appliances (98.2), 98.2, 93.6, 96.4 respectively). 4. DISCUSSION A quantitative design of a descriptive study was chosen in order to find out the causes of home accidents among children less than five years. This study carried out in from January 16th 2016 to April 2th, 2016. Sulaimani is developing country in kurdistan region of iraq has good health care system,however there were many causes of home accidents that affect the health of children,in addition to the risk factors including the age of Childs, because the first five years are considered as a critical period of life where the child learns to investigate and react with his surrounding [7].In term of knowledge of mothers regarding causes of home accidents, the finding show the majority (79.1%) of them has good information , awareness in a variety of settings and providing information on minimizing the causes [8]..Caregiver depression has emerged as a consistent risk factor for all types of injury. Other risk factors include long-term child health problems, residence and regular care of the child by a non-household member [9].First five years are taken into account, high period of life were the child learns to inspect, react with his surrounding [10]..Falls are the most common causes of accidents in the home can cause mortality or disability for long time. So it’s significant to become the dispatch across the simple things that father and mother and careers can do avoid serious falls [11]. Keeping chairs and other climbing objects away from windows and balcony, more than two-third of mothers didn’t recognize that .Some falls and tumbles are unavoidable, as children learn to stand, walk, run, and climb. Most aren't serious, but falls are actually the leading cause of nonfatal injuries for children, including head injuries, fractures and sprains, and contusions, this agrees with [12]. Nevertheless, more of participants identified secure any furniture and kitchen appliances to the wall if there's a risk to be http://www.babycenter.com/0_concussion-or-head-injury_11257.bc http://www.babycenter.com/0_broken-bones_408.bc pulled over. Both of poor maintenance and badly built houses like insufficient light on the stairways were a thoughtful common health problem; because avoidance and control of local accidents between children has been newly a goal and very vital area for healthcare preferment [13]. The community health nurse will attempt to confirm that people identify how to avoid accidents. In term of enough light on the stairs, the finding show the majority of mothers mentioned that. According to keep balcony doors locked to prevent a child from going on to it alone, more of mothers mentioned that The community health nurse will attempt to confirm that people identify how to avoid accidents. In term of enough light on the stairs, the finding show the majority of mothers mentioned that. According to keep balcony doors locked to prevent a child from going on to it alone, more of mothers mentioned that. Fit restrictors to upstairs windows cannot be opened more than 6.5cm, in the current study less than a half of mothers did not identify that; these mothers should be more educated and more aware about fit restrictors to upstairs windows. Falls are the most common cause of accidental injury to children. While most falls aren’t serious – active children often fall over – some falls can lead to death or long-term disability. So it’s important to get the message across about the simple things that parents and careers can do prevent serious falls, [11]. Keeping chairs and other climbing objects away from windows and balcony, more than two-third of mothers didn’t recognize that .Some falls and tumbles are unavoidable, as children learn to stand, walk, run, and climb. Most aren't serious, but falls are actually the leading cause of nonfatal injuries for children, including head injuries, fractures and sprains, and contusions, this agrees with [12].Nevertheless, more of participants identified secure any furniture and kitchen appliances to the wall if there's a risk to be pulled over. Badly built houses and poor maintenance such as inadequate light on the stairs; make prevention and control of home accidents among children has been recently a target and very important area for health promotion [13]. The community health nurse will try to ensure that people know how to prevent accidents. When home visiting done, accidents hazards will be identified and advice given to correct them. Respectively, in term of enough light on the stairs, the finding show the majority of mothers mentioned that , Regarding to keeping small objects out of the reach of small children (98.2%) of mothers mentioned that. The kitchen is measured the supreme hazardous domicile in the house for children [14]. The modern study showed an apparent ignorance of mothers regarding how to keep their sharp kitchen instruments out of children's reach. This disagrees with a study by Negro in New York City in USA which found that 74% of mothers knew how to safeguard their kid from the risk of knives and sharp tools in the kitchen [15]. Regarding mothers in choosing toys designed for the age of baby (91.8%) of mothers agree that their were relation between age of children and design of toys .Also (76.4%) of mothers encourage older children to keep their toys away from their younger playmates to prevent choking or suffocation occurs when there is a blockage in the airways and breathing is threatened. . Fire extinguishers can save lives and property because it’s important to help the public understand proper training and education,because many adults might not know how or when to use fire extinguishers. Unfortunately, (47.3%) of mothers in the current study recognize that; these mothers must be more educated and more mindful of utilizing fire extinguishers. When they asked about switch off electrical items at night, before mother goes to bed, fortunately, more than half (73.6%) knew that. Mother Knowledge regarding fire safety, (70.9) knew that, 87% of all fire-associated with deaths are because of home fires, which blowout quickly and can leave families as little as 2 minutes to run away when an alarm sounds begun. In 2008, nearly 61thousen children around the world died because of burn or fire, which mean that fires are not only truble in USA. The majority of mothers (95.5%) knew that hot food and drink scalds could happen quickly. Children less than ages of 12 are the most at danger of burns that incidence in the home. Maximum burns are affected in the household by mishaps including warm water and nutriment, whereas direct flame burns are more public with rising age [16]. (98.2%) of respondents had mentioned that burns also occur in the bathroom. According to (CDC), most home accidents occur where there's water in the bathroom, kitchen, swimming pools. Burns can occur rapidly with very hot water [17]. (98.2%) of partakers revealed keeping poison products out of reach of children. Children aged between 6 months and 6 years are involved in accidental poisonings more frequently than any other age group and the majority of incidents happen at home[18].. and prone to swallowing cosmetics and household products because children of that age are inquisitive, can move about and may mistake a brightly coloured product for a sweet or drink. [19]. Mothers' information of safety precautions, essential to protect chemical materials and cleaner remote of children’s reach was very weak which can cause poisoning or extra important mishaps that may consequence in loss of life, the popular of families kept cleaner and medicines in a high or locked cabinet [20]. Fortunately, (96.4%) mentioned that, home fires attitude one of the highest hazards to kid. Precisely, kids that play with matches and lighters significantly start house fires [8]. Likewise community health caregiver is in charge of to avert injuries in their societies, at work places, schools and homes [21]. Mothers' knowledge of safety precautions, necessary to keep chemical materials and cleaner out of children’s reach was very poor which can lead to poisoning or other significant accidents that may result in loss of life, the majority of families kept cleaner, and medications in a high or locked cabinet [20]. Regarding to dispose of unwanted medicines and chemicals carefully, (93.6%) of mothers identify that regarding taking care of carbon fuel burning appliances (such as matches, coal, wood, oil burners) serviced every year. Fortunately (96.4%) mentioned that, domestic fires pose one of the greatest risks to children. In particular, children that play with matches and lighters considerably start house fires [8]. Also community health nurse is responsible to prevent injuries in their communities, at homes, schools, and work places [(21]. Home environment is a common place for unintentional http://www.babycenter.com/0_concussion-or-head-injury_11257.bc http://www.babycenter.com/0_broken-bones_408.bc injuries among children, therefore parents and caregivers are the ones who should be in charge of preventing injuries to their infants [22]. Parents in all communities needed a wide range of pedagogical counseling about how to prevent accidents that injure children [23]. 5. CONCLUSION The study concludes that:- 1- Fitting restrictors to upstairs windows, keeping chairs and other climbing objects away from windows and balconies, having an emergency exit, Curtain and blind pull cords kept short and out of reach of children ,and keeping hot drinking out of reach of children were the five leading causes of home accidents among children less than five years. 2- Family size does not have an effect on causing of home accidents. 3- Age, education, Child’s age and inadequate health education for mothers’ about safe housing condition held in MCHC during antenatal period have an effect on the cause of accidents. 4- There were more need to educational program about home accidents and how manage it if occurs, especially mother's who have pre- school children. 6. ACKNOWLEDGMENT The authors wish to thank all children mothers of polytechnic university for permitting us to collect the data that formed the basis of this project. 7. LIMITATION Mothers employees responsible for the daily performance of their duties and collect information about the search extra work for them that was critical for data collection, lack of research studies concerning the issues underlying the present study. 8. REFERENCES [1] C. Khasnabis, World Report on Child Injury Prevention. Geneva, WHO. 2009. [2] J. Alper.Home safe home, Healthology", Inc. www.hsh.Com, 2003. [3] Aggarwal R, Singh G, Aditya K Pattern Of Domestic Injuries In A Rural Area Of India. Internet J Health, 2010, 11(2) [4] J. Parkkari, P .Kannus, S. Niemi, S. Koskinen, M .Palvanen, Vuori I, et al. Childhood deaths and injuries in Finland in 1971–1995. International journal of epidemiology. 2000; 29(3):516–23. [5] N. Othman,. Epidemiology of Home accidents in the East Mediterranean Region: a systematic review. BMC Public Health. , 2010, 10 (83): 1471-2458. [6] W S .Hamza,"Epidemiology of accidents among children in a village in Assiut Governorate". 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