Characteristics of Children Between 1-6 Ages Who Drink Corrosive Substances and the First Applications of Families

The research designed as a descriptive and cross-sectional design in order to identify the characteristics of children between 1-6 ages who were admitted to a tranining and research hospital in istanbul for drinking corrosive substances and that of families, and the first applications of families’. the sample was constituted from children between 1-6 ages and families who are admitted to pediatric emergency department between november 2008-february 2009. sample size was calculated using formula “s=t2.p.q/d2 ” and 160 children and families were involved into the study. questionnaire that is prepared in line with literature is used in the research. the data is analysed by percentages, fisher’s exact chi-square, yate’s chi-square. according to the research results 63.8% of children were male, the avarage of age 2.72±1.42 years, and the parents mostly were primary school graduate. it has been identified that the 63.1% of mothers bought unpackaged cleaning products or kept these substances in the low down openable cupboards. it has been identified that the most drinking substances of children are bleaching liquid, 63.8% of families gave children water, milk or yoghurt after corrosive substances. as the education level of mother has increased, as has the purchase of packaged cleaning materials and the proper keeping rates. nurses who play an important role in promotion and protection of child health should educate families about buying packaged cleaning products and to keep the unpackaged ones properly if bought, and of the actions to be taken after drinking corrosive substances.