title: Prevention of spinal cord injury: an elementary education approach.
abstract: Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in permanent paralysis and most often happens to teenagers and young adults. High risk behaviors are most often the cause; therefore these injuries are often preventable. In response to a gap in existing prevention programs, an elementary age SCI prevention program was developed, designed for implementation by teachers. Evaluation was carried out via a quasi-experimental pre-post comparison group design. Experimental students demonstrated significantly improved knowledge of SCI and its prevention. Similar changes in self-reported safety belt use were not noted. Development of the curriculum, related grant activities, and plans for national dissemination are described.
authors.affiliation: Spain Rehabilitation Center, University of Alabama, Birmingham 35294.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hendricks
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology