Parental Knowledge and Practice regarding the prevention of Domestic injuries among children under five in Ajman, UAE

Abstract

Background: Domestic injuries remain a leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in children under five globally. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the diverse cultural landscape and rapid urbanization present unique challenges for injury prevention. Research examining parental knowledge and practices regarding domestic injury prevention in the UAE context remains limited, necessitating targeted investigation to inform evidence-based interventions.

Objectives: To assess parental knowledge and practice regarding the prevention of domestic Injuries among children, determine the association between parental knowledge and practice scores with selected demographic variables and correlate knowledge and practice.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at a selected hospital in Ajman, UAE, from May to June 2025. A convenience sampling technique was employed to recruit 153 parents of children under five years of age. Data collection utilized a validated questionnaire developed by Mahah et al. (2021) comprising demographic information, knowledge assessment (11 items), and practice evaluation (11 items). Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and Pearson's correlation analysis were employed for data analysis.

Conclusion and Major Findings of the Study: Among 153 participants, 60.8% were mothers and 39.2% were fathers. A significant proportion (59.5%) reported past injuries in their children, with falls (30.7%), cuts (30.1%), and burns (21.6%) being most common. While 75.8% claimed first aid knowledge, only 50.3% had formal training. Critical knowledge gaps were identified: only 60.8% knew to use cold water for burns, while 12.4% would use potentially harmful remedies like toothpaste. Practice assessment revealed substantial gaps between theoretical knowledge and practical application, with only 16.3% knowing proper burn management steps and 15.7% understanding correct wound pressure application. Despite these deficits, 62.7% demonstrated high overall practice levels while 47% parents demonstrated good knowledge regarding prevention of domestic injuries among. A significant positive correlation was found between parental knowledge and practice scores (p < 0.05), indicating that increased knowledge leads to improved practical application.