Evaluation of a burn prevention program in Israeli schools

The study describes an educational burn injuries prevention program for schoolchildren, and its short and long term effects on knowledge, attitudes and the wish to learn more about preventive behaviors. The data were collected by self-administered questionnaires in two sampled groups of 10-14 year olds: a study group of children who were exposed to the program, and a similar control group. All children filled out the questionnaire three times. prior to the introduction of the program, at the end of it, and 10 weeks later. The results show an increase in knowledge in both groups.Yet, a significantly higher level of knowledge was achieved in the study group. Six out of ten attitudes studied changed in the expected direction after the program in the study group, and none in the control group. The expressed willingness to learn more about prevention of injuries increased significantly only in the study group. The results indicate that this program achieved its immediate goals, and suggest that burn prevention education programs can be successfully implemented among schoolchildren.