THE EFFECT OF ANTICIPATORY GUIDANCE ON MOTHERS SELF-EFFICACY AND BEHAVIORAL INTENTIONS TO PREVENT BURNS CAUSED BY HOT TAP WATER

An informational cartoon was developed and tested in a low-socioeconom ic population composed mainly of Hispanics attending the Ripley Health Clinic in Houston, TX. The informational cartoon illustrated how scal d injuries can be prevented by adjusting the water heater thermostal. Self-efficacy, intention, knowledge, attitude and social desirability were measured Days were the randomization units. Over a 2-week period, five clinic days were randomly allocated to control and five to the i ntervention condition. During the control days, mothers in the pediatr ic department received only a posttest. During the intervention days m others received the informational cartoon and posttest. Significant po sttest differences between groups were found for self-efficacy (P < 0. 004), intention (P < 0.001), knowledge (P < 0.001) and attitude (P < 0 .03). The results support the hypothesis that the informational cartoo n affected the target outcomes.