Roof fall cases in childhood recorded in Hospital Estadual do Grajaú during 2005

Abstract

Accidents have increased childhood mortality rates turning it into an important problem in public health. As epidemiologic data is not so precise, preventive measures become even more difficult. This study aims at determining the frequency of accidents involving cases of underage 13 who fell off roofs in the Hospital Estadual do Grajaú in 2005 as well as providing some preventive actions for the region. Some retrospective study was made in which childhood assistance, specially in cases of roof fall (which corresponded to 9% of the total number of falls) except those with encephalic traumatism, was assessed. About 13% of the cases were caused by roof falls, whichis an important factor for the possibility of prevention. The accidents occurred mainly during weekends and holidays and school children were the most affected. Most of them (78%) were males, which can be explained by the great exposure to risky activities. Low social economic conditions reflecting in housing and childcare may have influenced on the accidents. Preventive programs based on education must be adopted to make the population conscious of the importance of behavior and housing alterations to avoid the occurrence of such accidents.