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Change table-related injuries: Patterns, parental knowledge and implications for regulators

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

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Change table-related injuries: Patterns, parental knowledge and implications for regulators

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  1. Change table-related injuries: Patterns, parental knowledge and implications for regulators Dr Kirsten Vallmuur and Ms Kim Vuong CRICOS No. 00213J

  2. 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

  3. 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)

  4. 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

  5. 45% of all patients aged between 5-9m Over 2/3 of all patients aged under 1year old

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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?

  9. 47% parents thought NOT safe Parent’s views compared to CHOICE testing results 73% parents thought NOT safe 29% parents thought NOT safe

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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: k.vallmuur@qut.edu.au CRICOS No. 00213J

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