RESEARCH TITLE: “A STUDY TO ASSESS RISK FACTORS AFFECTING MOTHERS’ BEHAVIOURS REGARDING HOME ACCIDENTS AMONG UNDER FIVE CHILDREN AT SELECTED RURAL AREA IN ANAND DISTRICT GUJARAT STATE”

Abstract

Background: Unintentional injuries occurring within the home environment are a leading cause of morbidity and preventable disability among under-five years of age globally. Young children are especially vulnerable due to their developmental immaturity, curiosity, lack of hazard awareness, and reliance on caregivers for supervision. In economically developing countries, unsafe housing conditions combined with limited caregiver awareness further increase the risk of home accidents such as falls, burns, poisoning, cuts, and foreign body ingestion. Purpose: To identify household environmental hazards and caregiver safety practices associated with home accidents among children below five years of age in a rural community of Gujarat, India. Methods: A community based cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 440 mothers of under-five children in selected rural villages of Anand district, Gujarat. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire consisting of  items related to the participants’ sociodemographic characteristics, self-reported home accidents in the preceding six months, and a researcher-developed 55-item checklist assessing room-wise household hazards and caregiver safety practices. Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics and accident patterns. Findings: More than half of the children were below three years of age, and falls were the most commonly reported type of home accident. Kitchens, living rooms, and staircases were identified as high-risk locations. Unsafe household practices, including accessible stove controls, improper storage of detergents and sharp objects, slippery bathroom floors, and inadequate balcony safety, were frequently observed. Emergency preparedness was poor, with fewer than one-fifth of households reporting a fire escape plan or readily available first aid supplies. Conclusion: Home accidents among under-five children in rural India are strongly associated with modifiable household environmental hazards and caregiver safety practices. The findings underscore the need for nurse-led home safety education and targeted environmental modifications to reduce preventable childhood injuries.