D. Mulligansmith et al., PARENTAL PERCEPTION OF INJURY PREVENTION PRACTICES IN A MULTICULTURALMETROPOLITAN-AREA, Pediatric emergency care, 14(1), 1998, pp. 10-14
Introduction: This study was conducted to survey parents of children s
een in the emergency department regarding parent and child safety-rela
ted behaviors, parents' perceptions of their children's risks for inju
ry, and educational needs. Methods: The descriptive design involved th
ree questionnaires with age-specific items related to children in grou
ps 0-4 years, 5-12 years, and 13-15 years, Parents voluntarily complet
ed the questionnaires in the emergency department waiting area, Data w
ere analyzed by descriptive statistics, parametric tests,and content a
nalysis. Results: The culturally diverse sample included 81% minority
group representation, Parents tended to underestimate their children's
risks for injury from motor vehicle trashes. Less than one half of ca
retakers believed that most injuries can be prevented, Only one third
of parents listed needs for future learning, although parents of young
er children listed more needs, High response rates were received for k
nowing how to call 911, use of child car seats and seat belts, and smo
ke detectors in the home, Discussion: Survey results provide evidence
that parents have misconceptions about childhood injury, Through strat
egic planning, we have expanded our community education programs to fo
cus on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and activating the emergency medi
cal system, water safety, use of safety helmets, and injury prevention
in the home.