Citation

Rosenfeld RM, Sandhu S. Arch. Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. 1996; 122(6): 609-611.

Affiliation

Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, American Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8639290

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of injury prevention counseling opportunities in children referred to a pediatric otolaryngologist. DESIGN: A caregiver questionnaire was administered during office registration. SETTING: Hospital-based pediatric otolaryngology practice in a metropolitan area. PATIENTS: Random sample of 300 caregiver questionnaires stratified by the age of the child. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevention counseling opportunities, defined as ignorance of hottest water temperature, child exposure to passive smoke, missing smoke detectors on one or more floors in the home, or failure to use a seat belt or bicycle helmet. RESULTS: The hottest water temperature was unknown by 72% of the caregivers, smokers were present in 25% of the households, bicycle helmets were not used by 22% of the children, car seats or seat belts were not used by 11% of the children, and 10% of the homes did not have a working smoke alarm on each floor. Older children were significantly less likely to use a seat belt than were younger children. Although 98% of the caregivers had a regular pediatrician, 91% of the families still offered one or more counseling opportunities (95% confidence interval, 87% to 94%). CONCLUSIONS: Substantial opportunities exist for injury prevention counseling in pediatric otolaryngology. At least one opportunity for counseling is present for about 90% of the families, most often concerning the maximum safe hot water temperature.