ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of two different parental training programs on improving both maternal awareness for childhood injury and safety behaviors.

Seventy-four mothers whose children aged from 0 to 6 years were participated. Forty-seven mothers (Group 1) were taken to an education seminary program for childhood home injuries. Other twenty-seven mothers (Group 2) were given an education pamphlet. One month later, a home visit program was done. The level of maternal awareness for injury risk was evaluated before training and at home visits. Home safety level was measured based on a form including home injury hazards and safety practices of mothers that were accomplished within the period following intervention. The level of maternal risk perception about home injuries was measured with a scale.

The awareness levels of the mothers in Group 1 were significantly higher than Group 2. Total home safety score was significantly higher in Group 1 (p=0.040). The mothers of Group 1 were more inclined to improve the injury hazards in their home, and they were more likely to report child home injuries as more seriously. The mothers with higher level of awareness about injury risks indicated home injuries as more seriously.

The focused, interactive injury education of the mothers may be an effective intervention for improving the maternal awareness and home safety.

Keywords: home injury, prevention