Injuries among children and adolescents in a rapidly growing urban African metropolis: a cross-sectional survey of 1,968 households in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

OBJECTIVES: To assess the patterns and incidence of child and adolescent injury and explore associations with household deprivation and child characteristics in a low-income urban setting. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional household survey in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. METHODS: Data collection took place during July 2009. Injuries requiring medical attention were recorded with a one month period of recall. A total of 1,968 households representing 3,927 children and adolescents were visited by health workers. Gender-, age-, and type-specific injury incidence was compiled. Odds ratios were calculated to measure associations with child injury, perceived deprivation, household characteristics and child characteristics. RESULTS: One household in five reported injuries. The estimated incidence was 3.2 per 10,000 child-years. The most common identifiable injuries were falls (41%), cuts (22%) and burns (16%). Male and younger children aged 1–4 years were at higher risk (respectively OR = 1.36; p = 0.004; OR = 1.47; p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In Dar e Salaam injuries are common. Future investigations should take into account both subjective and objective measurements of relative household deprivation and a clear criteria for the assessment of injury severity in community-based survey contexts.