[The prevention of home accidents among children aged 0-6 years]. / 0-6 yas grubu çocuklarda ev kazalarinin önlenmesi.

BACKGROUND: Research was carried out to train families with children between the ages of 0-6 years regarding home accidents and how to make their homes safer. METHODS: Five hundred and sixty-three people who exhibited potential trainer qualities and who dealt directly children aged 0-6 years and their families were trained. Trainers applied a home accident safety test to 5117 mothers. Each trainer interviewed 10 mothers with children aged 0-6 years, and a short training was provided and brochures were delivered. Home accident safety products were distributed to 500 homes with low home accident safety scores, and these homes were evaluated regarding the usage of the products. RESULTS: A significant difference was found between pretest-posttest average scores of trainers. The average score on the home accident safety test was 75.50 ± 8.22 before the distribution of home accident safety products, and this increased to 90.50 ± 7.77 after the distribution of those products, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Training the families on risk factors and ways of making their homes safer could be recommended to protect children aged 0-6 years from home accidents.

Preparedness of primary healthcare centers for critical emergency situations in southwest Turkey.

INTRODUCTION: Primary healthcare centers (PHCCs) frequently are contacted for emergency reasons and are expected to provide basic and advanced life support during emergency situations. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the availability of emergency equipment and the knowledge of the staff working in PHCCs. METHODS: The survey was conducted in 21 PHCCs located in the rural city of Isparta, Turkey, in 2001. The availability of emergency equipment, emergency drugs, intravenous parenteral solutions, and diagnostic-therapeutic equipment was evaluated. Knowledge of basic life support of the staff (n = 195) was evaluated using a 10-item test. RESULTS: Two (9.5%) PHCs had a complete emergency kit with an airways bag, mask, intravenous parenteral solutions, emergency drugs, and other diagnostic equipment. Emergency equipment was easily accessible in 19 PHCCs (90.5%), while in the remaining centers, the equipment and drugs were stored in locked cabinets. The staff that was evaluated consisted of 43 doctors (22%), 132 nurses and midwifes (67%), and 20 health officers (11%). Doctors scored the highest knowledge score (65.5%), followed by nurses and midwives (58.6% and 56.7%, respectively), and health officers (52.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Primary healthcare centers were not prepared to provide advanced life support. Knowledge scores were low and the staff was in need of basic life support training. Further arrangements must be stressed to make PHCC's "emergency-friendly centers" in Isparta, Turkey.