[Epidemiological study on injuries among children in Beijing].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To explore the morbidity, burdens caused and risk factors of injuries among children and to provide information for policy making on prevention. METHODS: By PPS sampling method, we selected 28 000 households in Beijing and using a questionnaire developed by UNICEF, TASC and China CDC. RESULTS: The morbidity of child injury in Beijing was 2.25%, higher than that of adults (1.56%) with 6-9 year group the highest (2.83% ). The morbidity of boys was 3.04% higher than that of girls (1.37%). Among the 7 death cases, 3 were caused by injury(2 RTA, 1 drowning). The three leading causes of injuries were fall, animal bite and road traffic accident in children. Among children aged 0-5 years, fall, animal and burn/machine injuries were the leading causes. Among children aged 0-5 years, the leading causes were hurt by animals, fall and RTA with the leading causes as fall, sprain and RTA. The average medical cost of injury cases was 1617.57 Yuan. There were 3500 children (injured orphan) whose parents were injured leading to death or disability in Beijing in 2003. CONCLUSION: Injury was the leading cause of child deaths in Beijing with children of 6-9 years old having the highest morbidity with RTA the most severe type of injuries in Beijing which affects both children and their parents.