Zeynem YILDIRIM BALKAN, Zeynep EKİNCİ, Ayşegül ŞİMŞEK
Kocaeli Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi - 2026;12(3):270-276
Objective: Children aged 0-4 years are particularly vulnerable to home accidents. This study aimed to determine first aid self-efficacy regarding home accidents among mothers of children aged 0-4 years. Methods: This descriptive, study was conducted online in Türkiye between February and June 2026. A total of 133 mothers of children aged 0-4 years were recruited using convenience sampling. Data were collected using a mother-child demographic Information Form and the First Aid in Home Accidents Self-Efficacy Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using nonparametric tests at a 95% confidence level. Results: The mean age of the mothers was 36.1+/-6.1 years, and the mean scale score was 42.3+/-9.1 (possible range: 12-60). Higher self-efficacy scores were significantly associated with higher educational attainment (p<0.05), employment (p=0.011), previous first aid training (p<0.001), and prior first aid experience (p<0.001). Mothers' self-efficacy also differed according to their child's general behavioral characteristics (p=0.002). Overall, 60.9% of the children had experienced at least one home accident, with falls (61.5%) and burns (22.1%) representing the most frequent injury mechanisms. Conclusion: Mothers' scores suggest a reasonable level of readiness to provide first aid following home accidents. Educational level, previous first aid training, and practical first aid experience were the primary factors associated with higher self-efficacy. These findings emphasize the importance of expanding accessible, community-based, skills-oriented first aid education programs for parents to strengthen preparedness and improve the management of childhood home accidents.
