Investigation of Childhood Injury Epidemiology and Prevention Practices in Urban Lagos

Unintentional childhood injuries are a leading cause of disability and premature death among Nigerian children, yet their epidemiology in Lagos urban communities and the preventive practices of caregivers are insufficiently documented for evidence-based prevention programming. This study investigated the epidemiology of unintentional childhood injuries and caregiver prevention practices in Alimosho LGA, Lagos State, South West Nigeria. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 300 households with at least one child aged 1 to 14 years, using multi-stage random sampling. A structured questionnaire collected data on injury occurrence in the preceding 12 months, injury type, location, severity, and healthcare seeking. A home hazard assessment checklist documented environmental injury risk factors. Results showed a 12-month childhood injury incidence of 29.3 percent. Falls were the most common injury mechanism (42.1 percent), followed by burns (22.7 percent) and road traffic injuries (19.3 percent). Seventy-three percent of injuries occurred in or around the home. Formal healthcare facility care was sought for only 58.0 percent of injuries, with self-treatment more common for minor injuries. Home hazard assessment identified open electrical sockets, unlocked chemical storage, and unsupervised stairways as prevalent risks in 54.3 percent of homes. Caregiver supervision adequacy was the strongest determinant of injury reduction (OR 0.31; p < 0.001). The study recommends community childhood injury prevention campaigns, home safety assessment programmes, and integration of injury surveillance into Lagos PHC routine data systems. Keywords: childhood injury, unintentional injury, prevention, Lagos State, South West Nigeria