%0 Journal Article
%T Why Do Parents with Toddlers Store Poisonous Products Safely?
%A Tinneke M. J. Beirens
%A Eduard F. van Beeck
%A Johannes Brug
%A Paul den Hertog
%A Hein Raat
%J International Journal of Pediatrics
%D 2010
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2010/702827
%X Unintentional poisoning is a major cause of nonfatal injuries in children aged 0¨C24 months. Associations between self-reported habits on the child safe storage of medication and cleaning products and family, and psychosocial factors were assessed, using a model based on the Protection Motivation Theory. By identifying correlates of safety behavior in this manner, more insight in factors which influence this behavior is obtained. Health promotion activities in order to promote safety behavior should address these factors in order to increase the effectiveness of the health message. Data were gathered from a cross-sectional survey using self-administered questionnaires, mailed to a population sample of 2470 parents with toddlers. The results indicate that the promotion of safe storage of medication and cleaning products should address the family situation, personal cognitive factors as well as social factors. Interventions should particularly focus on parents' self-efficacy of storing poisonous products in a child safe manner and on the vulnerability of their child in their home concerning an unintentional poisoning incident. 1. Introduction Unintentional poisonings, which mostly occur at home, are a major cause of nonfatal injuries in children aged 0¨C24 months [1]. In 2003, 49.6% of all the reported poisonings exposures in the USA occurred among preschool children [2]. The annual incidence of poisoning in Dutch children aged 1-2 years is 3 per 1000 children, which is much higher compared to other age groups, for example, one-year-olds have a six-fold risk of poisoning compared to four-year-olds [3]. Most cases of poisoning in children aged 1-2 years occur due to unsafe storage of medicines and cleaning products (e.g., detergents, chloride, and other cleaners) [3]. Unintentional poisonings in this age group can be largely prevented by taking preventive action. Examples of preventive action could include, according to guidelines, the use of child-resistant packaging, child-safe storage of potentially poisonous products, and extra attention and supervision when the possible hazardous products are in use [1, 4¨C8]. Efforts should be made to promote poisoning preventive actions, including child-safe storage of potentially poisonous products (e.g., placed above adult eye level, or in a locked cabinet) [1, 4¨C8]. Previous research showed a large variation in characteristics between parents who do and do not store medications or cleaning products child safe [9]. In order to develop effective intervention strategies to improve parental safety behavior, more insight
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijpedi/2010/702827/