3-year impact of a provincial choking prevention program.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the impact of a provincial choking prevention program (CPP) on the incidence of aerodigestive foreign body cases among children.


METHODS
The CPP, including posters, pamphlets, an informative video, and annual participation in the Parents & Kids Fair, was launched throughout Quebec in October 1999. The incidence rates of aerodigestive foreign body cases prior to implementation (during 1997-1998) and subsequently (2000-2002) within the province and our tertiary care centre (Sainte-Justine Hospital) were compared by estimating incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and associated 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).


RESULTS
No significant changes in the incidence of aerodigestive foreign body cases after program implementation were observed in our hospital (age-adjusted IRR 0.92, 95% CI 0.79-1.07). The provincial rates were higher after program implementation (age-adjusted IRR 1.15, 95% CI 1.05-1.25).


CONCLUSIONS
To influence choking prevention habits, modifications to the campaign are required. Strategies are discussed.
Després
Nathalie
N
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec.
Lapointe
Annie
A
Quintal
Marie-Claude
MC
Arcand
Pierre
P
Giguère
Chantal
C
Abela
Anthony
A
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005547:Foreign Bodies; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology