Physician-driven or self-directed safe firearm storage guidance: Which one is best?
Education
Firearm injury
Intervention
Pediatric
Pilot study
Journal
Journal of pediatric surgery
ISSN: 1531-5037
Titre abrégé: J Pediatr Surg
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 0052631
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Mar 2022
Mar 2022
Historique:
received:
04
01
2021
revised:
04
04
2021
accepted:
18
04
2021
pubmed:
6
6
2021
medline:
16
2
2022
entrez:
5
6
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
Access to firearms is a preventable cause of unintentional injury and suicide in children. Pediatric physicians provide injury prevention guidance, but firearm safety may not routinely be included. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of firearm safety guidance (FSG) provided by a physician. Prospective, randomized-controlled, trial assessing physician-delivered FSG at two pediatric clinics in Houston, Texas. Firearm-owning parents were randomized to physician guidance (PG) versus control (CG) groups. The CG received a handout with firearm safety facts and a free cable lock. The PG additionally received FSG by a physician. Pre- and post-intervention surveys were conducted. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi square analysis. Thirty-two families participated; most (70%) were satisfied with the guidance. Pre-intervention safe firearm storage was high in both groups, and the intervention did not lead to improved habits in either group [PG: Pre 93% vs. Post 89%, p = 0.7 and CG: Pre 82% vs. 78%, p = 0.7].There was no difference in use of the free cable lock among groups (44% vs. 22%, p = 0.9). The PG demonstrated improved knowledge of the state child access protection law (PG: Pre 60% vs. Post 100% vs. CG: Pre 29% vs. Post 67%; p = 0.02). For firearm-owning parents, physician-delivered safe storage guidance may not be more effective than self-directed guidance provided by a handout. A larger trial is underway to confirm the findings of this pilot study.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE
OBJECTIVE
Access to firearms is a preventable cause of unintentional injury and suicide in children. Pediatric physicians provide injury prevention guidance, but firearm safety may not routinely be included. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of firearm safety guidance (FSG) provided by a physician.
METHODS
METHODS
Prospective, randomized-controlled, trial assessing physician-delivered FSG at two pediatric clinics in Houston, Texas. Firearm-owning parents were randomized to physician guidance (PG) versus control (CG) groups. The CG received a handout with firearm safety facts and a free cable lock. The PG additionally received FSG by a physician. Pre- and post-intervention surveys were conducted. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi square analysis.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Thirty-two families participated; most (70%) were satisfied with the guidance. Pre-intervention safe firearm storage was high in both groups, and the intervention did not lead to improved habits in either group [PG: Pre 93% vs. Post 89%, p = 0.7 and CG: Pre 82% vs. 78%, p = 0.7].There was no difference in use of the free cable lock among groups (44% vs. 22%, p = 0.9). The PG demonstrated improved knowledge of the state child access protection law (PG: Pre 60% vs. Post 100% vs. CG: Pre 29% vs. Post 67%; p = 0.02).
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
For firearm-owning parents, physician-delivered safe storage guidance may not be more effective than self-directed guidance provided by a handout. A larger trial is underway to confirm the findings of this pilot study.
Identifiants
pubmed: 34088532
pii: S0022-3468(21)00325-0
doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2021.04.015
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Randomized Controlled Trial
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
454-461Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.