Evaluation of Infant Injury Prevention Education Provided during Antenatal Classes after Two Years: A Pilot Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

This study examined the long-term effects of an infant injury prevention program implemented during an antenatal class of 131 mothers. Questionnaires were completed 2 years postpartum to assess the incidence of injury (medically attended or home-care), mothers’ perception of injury prevention, implementation of safety practices, and active attitudes toward injury prevention. Responses were obtained from 68 (51.9%) mothers (intervention group, 40; control group, 28), including 24 who reported medically attended injuries and 55 who reported home-care injuries. The incidence of medically attended injuries did not differ between groups. The incidence of home-care injuries was also not significantly different, but was lower in the intervention group (72.5% vs. 92.9%, p = 0.050). Significantly fewer children in the intervention group experienced “injury due to being caught between objects” (12.5% vs. 39.3%, p = 0.014). Mothers in the intervention group were significantly more aware of injury prevention than those in the control group (p = 0.033). The risk of home-care injuries was inversely related to mothers’ injury-prevention perception (odds ratio [OR]: 0.55, p = 0.035). This study suggests that group education during pregnancy regarding injury prevention increases mothers’ perception of injury prevention. These findings support implementing injury prevention education during antenatal classes.

Analysis of research on interventions for the prevention of safety accidents involving infants: a scoping review

“…Finally, providing practical experience and feedback as a teaching method for safety accident prevention competency reinforcement is a notable factor in interventions for the prevention of safety accidents involving infants. Honda et al [ 34 ] reported that providing practical experience reinforces an active attitude toward injury prevention and safety behavior practices. There is a reported demand for education related to practical management methods among parents of infants and toddlers to reinforce the safety of their children at home [ 5 ].…”

Association between obtaining injury prevention information and maternal and child health services during COVID-19

“…Services, such as interviews when submitting pregnancy noti cation (pregnancy noti cation interview), prenatal education, postpartum home visits, and infant health examinations, are conducted by local governments and have high participation rates, providing ideal opportunities for the dissemination of injury prevention education about injuries that can occur to anyone at any time. As a result of the injury prevention education provided in the antenatal class, mothers who received this education were more likely to practice preventative behaviors postpartum and understand injury prevention awareness, severity, and probability of injury two years later (6) (7). Thus, educating caregivers promotes knowledge, awareness, and behavioral change.…”