Characteristics of Children Who Ingested Corrosive Substances and Their Mothers' Attitudes Toward Child-Rearing

Abstract

Objective: To examine the characteristics of children who ingested corrosive substances and their mothers' attitudes toward child-rearing. Material and Methods: This study was conducted in the pediatric gastroenterology department of a university hospital between April 2008 and March 2009. The mothers whose children were hospitalized with the diagnosis of intoxication due to ingestion of corrosive substances formed the population group, while 71 mothers who accepted to participate in the study formed the sample group. The "Form of Questionnaire" and "Parental Attitude Research Instrument" (PART) were used for gathering data. Results: Corrosive substances which caused intoxication in the study were degreasers, bleaches and lime solvents. It was seen that the ingested corrosive substances were most frequently kept in the kitchen cabinets. It was seen that the ingested corrosive substances were not in their original packages (69%). The relationship between the age of the children who ingested corrosive substances (p>0.05), their gender (p>0.05), education level of their mothers (ID>0.05) and mothers' attitudes toward child-rearing were not found statistically significant. Conclusion: It is important to carefully buy and store corrosives, which are used as cleaning products in the house, in order to prevent corrosive poisoning in children. Comparative studies on the child rearing attitudes of mothers whose children have experienced poisoning should be conducted.