Dog Bite Prevention: An Assessment of Child Knowledge

Abstract

Objectives To determine what children know about preventing dog bites and parental desires for dog bite prevention education. Study design This cross-sectional study sampled 5-15 year olds and their parents/guardians presenting to a pediatric emergency department with non-urgent complaints or dog bites. Pairs completed surveys and knowledge-based simulated scenario tests developed from American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) dog bite prevention recommendations. Regression analyses modeled knowledge test scores and probability of passing; a passing score was ≥11/14 questions. Results Of 300 parent/child pairs, 43% of children failed the knowledge test. Older children had higher odds of passing the knowledge test than younger children, as did children with white parents versus non-white parents. No associations were found between knowledge scores and other sociodemographic or experiential factors. Over 70% of children had never received dog bite prevention education, although 88% of parents desired it. Conclusion Dog bites are preventable injures disproportionately affecting children. Dog bite prevention knowledge in our sample was poor, particularly among younger children and children with non-white parents. Formal dog bite prevention education is warranted and welcomed by a majority of parents.

Dog bites and maxillofacial surgery: what can we do?

“…8 As a result, they are 3 times more likely than adults to require medical attention for their injuries. 9 We know of surprisingly few studies that have looked at the education of young children and their behaviour around dogs, but interventions through educational programmes in schools are known to work effectively and to have positive results.…”

An evaluation of a dog bite prevention intervention in the pediatric emergency department

“…5 Test questions included seven text and seven picture scenarios that portrayed dogs in specific situations. Pictures were 8”×11” colored photographs of either a black shepherd mix dog or a golden retriever dog in settings such as behind a fence, lying on a dog bed with a toy, eating dog food out of a bowl, or sitting in a car with the window down.…”

“…We have previously had found a mean knowledge score of 70% (<10/14 questions correct) for children aged 5–9 years. 13 Given the hypothesis that there is increased knowledge after a video-based dog bite prevention intervention, we predicted that the mean knowledge test score would increase to ≥85% (≥12/14 questions correct) after receiving this intervention. A sample size of 120 was determined a priori to detect this 15% difference with 80% power and a two-sided significance level of 0.05.…”

“…Our prior work has shown that children generally lack knowledge of these dog bite prevention tips, that younger children have the least knowledge, and that less than 30% of children or their parents have ever received dog bite prevention education although nearly 90% of parents desire it. 5 …”

Pediatric Dog Bite Victims

“…Unrecognized and untreated symptoms of PTSD in children can lead to impairment in brain development and cognitive, behavioral, and social skills. [4][5][6] One survey of pediatric dog bite victims found that more than 50% had PTSD symptoms for more than 1 month and more than a quarter met all DSM-IV criteria for PTSD. None of these children had received psychological support.…”