MRC student

Level of study: MA Psych (Research)

Title of Research Project: Children’s perceptions of causation and prevention of childhood burn injuries

Study Institution: University of the Western Cape

Research Question
Child burn injuries are a global public health problem. Children’s perspectives have not been consistently accommodated in the identification of childhood injury risk phenomena or in the development and implementation of safety interventions. This study aims to generate children’s perceptions regarding the causation and prevention of burn injuries as little is known about how children manage the related hazards. Developmental Theory and Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Framework will be utilised to gain an understanding of the data. Many intervention programs in community contexts have recently benefited from the study of child-context relationships.  The areas of Khayelitsha, Site C and Phillippi, Samora Machel which have reported an elevated risk for burn injuries in Cape-Town have been selected as research possible sites.

The methodology is located within the qualitative approach utilising two focus groups of 4-6 participants each with children aged 10 and 11 years old. Teachers from the schools have invited potential participants on the researcher’s behalf by gauging interested children who fit the criteria of age, verbal ability and who reside in the targeted areas. Informed consent letters that explain the study to the parents of potential parents have already been distributed. The data generated will be analysed following Kelly and Terre Blanche’s five steps in thematic data analysis. The generation of this information will contribute to the development of intervention priorities and highlight issues relevant for prevention policy that is more closely aligned to the contexts and experiences of children.  

Supervisors:  Dr. Ashely van Niekerk & Mr. Rashid Ahmed
MRC Unit: Crime, Violence & Injury Lead Programme