title: Effectiveness of Educational Interventions on Fireworks-related Injuries among Schoolboys.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We assessed the effectiveness of educational interventions in increasing the perceived risk of fireworks and preventing fireworks-related injuries among male teenagers.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a field trial, using a cluster sampling approach, 3 high-, middle- and low-income municipality districts were selected. In each district, 5 male middle and high schools were randomly selected and assigned into one control and 4 intervention groups: (1) distribution of a multimedia disk regarding injury victims; (2) distribution of safety brochures; (3) mailing to parents from schools discussing the risk of fireworks and limiting the fireworks budget; and (4) peer-to-peer education by trained students about the risks of fireworks. Safety instructions were included in all interventions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After analyzing 1584 students' responses, the use of firecracker inversely correlated with the economic level of families (p < .001). The risk factors for fireworks-related injury (N = 31, 2.0%) included use of hazardous fireworks, making bonfires, history of fireworks-related injury, fireworks budget, and "willingness to pay." Preventive interventions did not statistically change the use of fireworks, fireworks budget, making a bonfire, and fireworks-related injuries compared with the preceding year. The interest in hazardous fire crackers was less in intervention group; however, no statistically significant differences among the different interventions were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The interventions failed to lessen risky behaviors and fireworks-related injuries among male teenagers.
authors.affiliation: Professor, Eye Research Center, Rassoul Akram Hospital, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Masood
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Naseripour
authors.affiliation: Research Associate, Sina Research Development Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hamidian
authors.affiliation: Professor, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Director, Center for Injury Research and Policy, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH.
authors.forename: Gary A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Sina Trauma and Surgery Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran;, Email: soheil.saadat@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Soheil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saadat
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004493:Education; D053834:Explosive Agents; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012449:Safety; D013334:Students; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D053834:Explosive Agents