Work

Systematic Review: Interventions to Educate Children About Dog Safety and Prevent Pediatric Dog-Bite Injuries: A Meta-Analytic Review

Year: 2016

Type: review

Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis

Abstract: Objective: Dog-bite injury posits a significant threat to children globally. This review evaluated efficacy of cognitive/behavioral interventions for improving children's knowledge and behaviors around dogs. Methods: Manuscripts published before January 3, 2014 evaluating cognitive/behavioral interventions for dog-bite prevention among children <18 years of age were eligible for inclusion. Among 2,270 abstracts screened, 123 full texts were retrieved. Twelve studies were included in the qualitative synthesis; nine were included in the meta-analysis. Risk of bias and quality of evidence were evaluated. Results: Cognitive/behavioral interventions had a moderate effect in improving children's knowledge and a larger effect in improving children's behavior with dogs. The most effective intervention strategies were video for knowledge and instruction with live dogs for behaviors. Quality of evidence was poor. Conclusions: Cognitive/behavioral interventions have potential to improve both children's knowledge and behaviors around dogs. Future interventions should include multiple follow-ups on dog-bite rates from an international perspective using rigorous randomized controlled trials.

Source: Journal of Pediatric Psychology

DOI: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsv164

Authors: Jiabin Shen, Jenni Rouse, Manasvee Godbole, Hayley L. Wells, Shilpa Boppana, David C. Schwebel

Institution: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Language: English

Topic: Injury Epidemiology and Prevention

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development