Presence and use of stair gates in homes with toddlers (11-18 months old).
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to assess demographic correlates of the presence and use of stair gates in homes with toddlers.


METHODS
In 2004, self-administered questionnaires were mailed to 2470 parents with toddlers living in both urban and rural areas (response rate 70.1%). The questionnaires were sent by the youth healthcare providers that the parents visited regarding their toddler.


RESULTS
In total, 83% of the parents reported to have at least one stair gate installed; however, 50% of these parents reported that they did not always close the stair gate. Households with a non-Dutch ethnic mother, one child, a female child, a young child or a child who cannot crawl, were less likely to have a stair gate. Households with one child, a toddler who cannot walk, and a mother with a higher educational level were less likely to use the gate adequately.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that parents of toddlers often report to have a stair gate; however, in homes with a gate the parents do not necessarily use the gate adequately. Different demographic characteristics were shown to be correlated with both having a stair gate and the use of a stair gate.
Beirens
Tinneke M J
TM
Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC-University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. t.beirens@erasmusmc.nl
Brug
Johannes
J
van Beeck
Eduard F
EF
Dekker
Rieneke
R
Juttmann
Rikard E
RE
Raat
Hein
H
D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015370:Infant Equipment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D011482:Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*