Acceptance of an injury-prevention program in rural communities: a preliminary study.
BACKGROUND
Considerable attention is being addressed to injury prevention. This study addresses the acceptance of a home injury-prevention survey as an injury-prevention tool in rural communities.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate public acceptance of a home injury-prevention survey as a tool to educate and enlighten the public about home injuries.


METHODS
All patients with home injuries who came to Wetzel County Hospital Emergency Department were asked if they would participate in a home injury-prevention survey. The study was conducted from 01 May to 01 July 1995. Paramedics were used as interviewers because of the closeness they enjoy with the community.


RESULTS
During the study period, 2,104 patients came to the emergency department of Wetzel County Hospital. Of these, 386 sought care because of an injury sustained in their homes. From this group, 23 (5.9%) patients agreed to participate in a home injury-prevention study; 363 (94.1%) refused.


CONCLUSIONS
A home injury-prevention survey alone does not seem to be an effective tool to aid in the reduction of home injuries, because it is not embraced by the general public.
Moore
E
E
Spectrum Health Care Services, New Martinsville, West Virginia 26153, USA.
McComas
J
J
D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D017146:Models, Organizational; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012423:Rural Health; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*