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Parents' Self‐Reported Behaviors Related to Health and Safety of Very Young Children
Author(s) -
Hendricks Charlotte M.,
Reichert Ann
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
journal of school health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.851
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1746-1561
pISSN - 0022-4391
DOI - 10.1111/j.1746-1561.1996.tb06279.x
Subject(s) - occupational safety and health , injury prevention , poison control , suicide prevention , medicine , environmental health , human factors and ergonomics , telephone survey , family medicine , child safety , psychology , medical emergency , engineering , business , structural engineering , pathology , marketing
This survey documented self‐reported health and safety behaviors of parents of children enrolled in Head Start programs. The sample consisted of eight preschool programs (n= 1,143) from different geographical areas of the country. This survey obtained baseline data on parent self‐reported behavior as it relates to priority issues in child health and safety. A 25‐item questionnaire assessed parents' behavior related to injury prevention, fire and electrical safety, firearm storage, poison prevention, automobile safety, and child supervision. More than 90% of parents reported they use car seats, teach handwashing and pedestrian safety, and keep medicine and alcohol out of children's reach. Fewer than 60%, however, reported they keep guns and bullets stored separately and locked, possess a working fire extinguisher, or have the poison control telephone number available. Findings provide direction for emphasis for those developing or implementing a comprehensive family health education program.