Toxic Hazard?

The Challenge of Developing Theory- and Evidence-Based Messages for the Prevention of Child Poisoning Accidents

Abstract

Child poisoning accidents are a serious public health problem that could significantly be reduced by adopting preventive measures. This raises the question of how communication campaigns can address caregivers to increase the likelihood of performing preventive behaviours that may reduce childhood accidents. To develop evidence-based interventions, we first developed a theory-based model for explaining the intention to prevent child poisoning accidents based on determinants of pre-existing models. The model was tested among a quota sampled survey of parents of children under seven years in Germany (Study 1, N = 1,013). The attitude towards preventing poisoning accidents and the perceived behavioural control (PBC) showed the strongest relationship with the intention. Furthermore, behavioural and control beliefs based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) were identified and experimentally addressed in Study 2 (N = 550) to examine effects on attitude, PBC, and intention. Addressing these beliefs did not affect the dependent variables. However, there was a relationship between the respective beliefs, attitudes, and the PBC. Furthermore, attitude and PBC were strongly related to the intention. The results suggest that in the communication of child accident prevention, addressing the attitude towards preventive behaviour, the PBC, and risk perception may be useful.