Basic choking education to improve parental knowledge.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of an educational intervention on parental knowledge of choking hazards and prevention.

METHODS

A quasi experimental study was performed utilizing an internet based educational video intervention for parents with a child 6 months to 4 years old presenting to a Pediatric Otolaryngology clinic at a Level 1 pediatric hospital. Following the clinic visit, participants were sent a choking video (intervention) or general safety video (control) with a pretest and posttest knowledge survey (via email). An additional posttest knowledge survey was sent 30 days later as a surrogate measure for knowledge retained over time. Frequencies, chi square test, Independent t-test and McNemar's test were used for statistical analyses.

RESULTS

202 participants viewed the video and completed both the pretest and immediate posttest knowledge survey. Average change in total knowledge scores from the pretest to immediate posttest was statistically significant between the intervention (μ = 1.88, σ = 1.20) and control group (μ = 0.14, σ = 1.05); t (200) = -10.99, P < .001. This finding was consistent when assessing change from the pretest to 30 day posttest between the intervention (μ = 1.41, σ = 1.32) and control group (μ = 0.17, σ = 1.41); t (118) = -4.95, P < .001. A majority of the knowledge questions (5 of 7) showed a significant change in score from the pretest to immediate posttest (P = .001-.027). Additional analyses revealed accuracy on 4 of 7 knowledge questions significantly changed from the pretest to 30 day later posttest (P < .001- .002).

CONCLUSION

The brief educational video overall improved parental knowledge of choking hazards and prevention immediately after the video and 30 days later. Importantly, improved parental knowledge may decrease rates of choking among children.