change table-related injuries: patterns, parental knowledge and implications for regulators
DESCRIPTION
Change table-related injuries: Patterns, parental knowledge and implications for regulators. Dr Kirsten Vallmuur and Ms Kim Vuong. CRICOS No. 00213J. Background. Change tables are a leading cause of fall-related injuries in infants across the world - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
CRICOS No. 00213J
Dr Kirsten Vallmuur and Ms Kim Vuong
Change table-related injuries: Patterns, parental knowledge and
implications for regulators
Background
• Change tables are a leading cause of fall-related injuries in infants across the world
• There are European and USA standards, but no voluntary/mandatory standards in Australia
• 60% of change tables sold in Australia were not recommended for purchase by CHOICE testing
Aims of Research
• Describe change table injury patterns in infants• Assess parents perception’s of risk and
knowledge about change table standards• Identify intervention opportunities (including
standards/education campaigns)
Methods
• Analysis of injury data from emergency departments for Qld infants over last 8 years
• Survey of parents to assess their knowledge, risk perception, attitudes and beliefs about change tables
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Change table-related ED presentations by age in months 2004-2011
Months of age
Age
per
cent
age
45% of all patients aged between 5-9m
Over 2/3 of all patients aged under 1year old
Survey of parents: Characteristics
• Number of participants = 111• 60% first time parents• 84% own a change table• 2/3 use the change table most of the time to
change nappies
Survey of parents: Safety risks
• 11% of parents indicated baby had an accident on change table
• Over half intended to keep one hand on the baby at all times on change table
• 82% agreed that a change table accident would cause a serious injury to their infant
Survey of parents: Knowledge• Two-thirds of parents thought there were
mandatory standards for change tables• Parents indicated the following factors were
considerations in assessing change table safety:– height of sides– headboard at back– sturdiness of design– presence of safety harnesses– ease of access to wipes/diapers– presence of wheels
• BUT, can they accurately evaluate products?
29% parents thought NOT safe
73% parents thought NOT safe
47% parents thought NOT safe Parent’s views compared
to CHOICE testing results
Recommendations for regulators/industry: Standards
• While standards exist elsewhere, falls from change tables still a leading cause of injury internationally – Is there a better design solution or is it all about consumers behaviour?
• Need to identify designs which reduce the risk of babies rolling off/falling from tables while not increasing the risk of entrapment/strangulation of the child and not increasing risk of back strain to carer
• Note that a submission to develop an Australian/New Zealand Standard is currently being considered
Recommendations for regulators/industry: Education
• Raise parent’s awareness about how to accurately evaluate safety of current products – Understand influences underpinning the enactment of
safety behaviour– Understand how consumers behave when seeking out
products • Improve parent’s knowledge about lack of standards
– Change consumer perception that all products are inherently ‘safe’
– Increase supervision intentions
CRICOS No. 00213J
FURTHER INFORMATION:Consumer product-related injuries in Queensland children : A snapshot of current problem areas for potential action. 2013. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/58389/
Feasibility of using health data sources to inform product safety surveillance in Queensland : a report for the Queensland Injury Prevention Council. 2011. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/46518/
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:Associate Supervisors: Ioni Lewis and Angela Watson
Consumer Product Injury Research Advisory Group (CPIRAG)
EMAIL: [email protected]