Recent developments in behavioural research and prevention of childhood injuries. (1st March 2011) - Morrongiello, B
Abstract : In most developed nations, unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death for children. In this symposium, an international panel of speakers will present behavioural research designed to promote safe environments and equitable communities for children by modifying environments and/or care giver behaviours to reduce children's exposure to injury risks. Denise Kendrick (UK) will overview evidence relating the effectiveness of home safety education and the provision of safety equipment to care giver safety practices and reductions in children's risk of injury, including mention of factors associated with effectiveness of these interventions. Working at the community level, Andrea Gielen (USA) will present data from intervention research involving partnership of university and community groups, with the goal of preventing home injuries to children in low income communities by promoting the adoption of evidence-based home-safety practices. Barbara Morrongiello (Canada) will present research addressing care giver supervision as an injury risk-reducing strategy. She will present results from an randomised controlled trial designed to increase parental home supervision of young children by targeting pertinent beliefs and attitudes regarding childhood injuries, children's behavioural development and care giver supervision. Finally, David Schwebel (USA) will present research regarding the use of simulated drowning audits to improve lifeguard surveillance at community swimming pools in both low and upper income neighbourhoods. Elizabeth Towner (UK) will serve as Discussant. In that role, she will provide an integrative framework for behavioural approaches in child injury prevention and identify future research needs in the area.