ABSTRACT
We conducted a population-based intervention trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a program to prevent home injuries in children. We recruited a population of 1,015 young parent couples. Among those couples, we measured attitudes toward prevention of home injuries to children before and after the intervention. The intervention had limited effectiveness, which was somewhat greater among white-collar families and families with a higher paternal educational level. We found an association between the occurrence of injuries and educational level of the fathers (odds ratio = 1.7 and 1.9 for 6-12 years and < 6 years of school completed, respectively, vs > or = 13 years).
Subject(s)
Accidents, Home/prevention & control , Health Education , Wounds and Injuries/prevention & control , Child, Preschool , Female , Health Behavior , Humans , Italy/epidemiology , Male , Odds Ratio , Program Evaluation , Socioeconomic Factors , Wounds and Injuries/epidemiologyABSTRACT
The rising phenomenon of immigration to Italy makes necessary to be equipped with basic tools allowing to work out a health pattern of the immigrated foreigners useful to develop programs for their health protection. We describe the image of the health pattern of foreigners immigrated to Turin obtained using the current socio-sanitary informative systems and the record of some outpatient's department. The resulting health condition is similar to that of the general population, with a few epidemiological peculiarities of the origin countries (a larger diffusion of tubercolosys and intestinal parasitosis) and with acute problems typical of populations with high mobility (traumatology, respiratory diseases). Besides, these sources suggest to examine carefully health problems pregnancy and work related. Completeness and quality limits of the informative systems used are then discussed.
Subject(s)
Emigration and Immigration , Health Status , Adolescent , Adult , Attitude to Health , Delivery of Health Care/organization & administration , Female , Humans , Italy , Male , Middle Aged , PregnancySubject(s)
Accidents, Home , Child Welfare , Smoking , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Educational Status , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Italy , Male , Maternal Behavior , Parents , Paternal Behavior , Social ClassABSTRACT
AIMS AND BACKGROUND: We conducted a population-based trial to evaluate the efficacy of an intervention aimed at preventing exposure of young children to parental tobacco smoke. METHODS: Of the 1142 eligible couples (parents of newborn babies), 1015 were recruited; the intervention was offered to 402 and not to 613 families. RESULTS: A strong association was found between social class and smoking behavior, in particular smoking during meals at home. The intervention itself had limited effectiveness in decreasing the number of smokers. The effect was stronger in mothers and in higher social groups. Among the "white-collar" families belonging to the intervention group, the proportion of mothers who stopped smoking was 3 times higher than in the control group (not statistically significant). CONCLUSIONS: Educational interventions against smoking should be planned taking into account the difference in efficacy according to social class.
