Safety and Peace Promotion Research Unit

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Home visitation reduces risks to unintentional childhood injuries in low-income homes

Children are especially vulnerable to unintentionally inflicted injuries, or what is most commonly referred to as ‘accidents’. International and national research indicates that children in low- income neigbourhoods are at greater risk to sustaining such injuries, and that most of these injuries occur in and around the home. South African injury surveillance data shows that these 'accidents’ account for approximately 6.3% of the 60 000 annual child injury deaths. Despite the magnitude of the problem there is a paucity of evaluated child injury prevention programmes in South Africa.

The Crime, Violence and Injury Research Unit implemented a home visitation programme (HVP) that has shown to be effective in reducing household risks associated with burn and poisoning injuries. An important aspect of the programme is the involvement of local community members who are recruited and trained as home visitors. An accompanying training manual and video has been developed for use by any agency wishing to implement the programme. In 2006 the programme was replicated in collaboration with the Western Cape Department of Health (WCDOH), an implementation that confirmed the effectiveness of the intervention. The WCDOH has expressed a keen interest in extending the collaboration which may result in a large scale uptake of the programme in the Western Cape. The ultimate aim for the Crime, Violence and Injury Research Unit would be a sustained effort by all relevant stakeholders dealing with child safety to ensure that this intervention is institutionalised as part of the routine community services delivered to those living in low-income communities.

Authors: W. Odendaal, A. van Niekers, M. Seedat, E.Jordaan, J. Kallis, P. de Villiers
Date: April 2007