An intervention to reduce kerosene-related burns and poisonings in low-income South African communities.
OBJECTIVE
Unintentional injury rates in low- and middle-income countries are up to 50 times higher than high-income nations. In South Africa, kerosene (paraffin) is a leading cause of poisoning and burns, particularly in low-income communities where it serves as a primary fuel for light, cooking, and heating. This study tested a community-based intervention to reduce kerosene-related injury risk. The intervention used a train-the-trainers model, whereby expert trainers train local paraprofessionals, who in turn deliver educational materials to community residents. The intervention was theory-driven, pragmatically motivated, and culturally sensitive.


METHODS
Prospective quasi-experimental intervention design with nonequivalent case versus control groups.


METHODS
Three primary outcome measures were considered: self-reported knowledge of kerosene safety, observed practice of safe kerosene use, and self-reported recognition of risk for kerosene-related injury.


RESULTS
ANOVA models suggest a large and significant increase in self-reported kerosene-related knowledge in the intervention community compared to the control community. There were smaller, but statistically significant changes, in kerosene-related safety practices and recognition of kerosene injury risk in the intervention community compared to the control community.


CONCLUSIONS
The intervention was successful. A train-the-trainers model might be an effective educational tool to reduce kerosene-related injury risk in low-income communities within low- and middle-income countries.
Schwebel
David C
DC
Department of Psychology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA. schwebel@uab.edu
Swart
Dehran
D
Simpson
Jennifer
J
Hobe
Phumla
P
Hui
Siu-Kuen Azor
SK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002056:Burns / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007648:Kerosene / Q000506:poisoning*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011041:Poisoning / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011203:Poverty; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D013019:South Africa; D013663:Teaching; D055815:Young Adult
D007648:Kerosene