DefinePK

Abstract

Introduction


Preventive medicine has always been part of the medical curriculum, but during the clinical training more stress is given to treat diseases. Most of the doctors hardly consider effective education and counseling as part of their practice, which is creating a gap in the knowledge of parents regarding their role in preventing injuries. A community-based study done in Canada showed that parent view injuries largely as a natural corollary of childhood and believe children learn about risk avoidance from injury experiences. It stated that parents neither considered injuries as preventable nor assume responsibility for preventing injuries among children.1 The American Academy of Pediatrics believes that office-based health education and counseling can contribute to childhood injury prevention. To help pediatricians implement injury prevention counseling, the Academy has developed The Injury Prevention Program (TIPP).2,3 A benefit cost comparison revealed that pediatrician injury counseling is a cost-effective method of preventing childhood injuries and should be more widely adopted.4 Another review article showed that education, environmental modification and legislation all have a part to play in injury prevention and their effect in combination is important.5 A recent comprehensive literature review on injury prevention counseling in primary care settings demonstrated positive results including improved knowledge, improved behavior and a decrease in injuries. Given proper advice and encouragement, parents can be motivated to protect their children from injuries. 6 The objective is to assess the information mothers have regarding injury prevention in children and has any of the health professional ever discussed the related issues.