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Biomedical subjects

D C Geddis

Publications and source records attributed to D C Geddis.

29 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

The exposure of pre-school children to water hazards and the incidence of potential drowning accidents.

Pre-school drownings are a common cause of death and nearly all occur within the child's everyday environment. This study is the first attempt to (a) determine the rate of exposure of a nationwide sample of 8430 New Zealand children aged 1-3 years, to water hazards in their everyday environment and (b) obtain the number of potential drowning accidents suffered by the sample since birth. Sixty percent of the children were exposed to one and usually several, water hazards. Domestic swimming pools were the single most common hazard (39%). Sixty-three percent of these pools had no safety features. Eight-eight percent of the children's parents supported the mandatory fencing of domestic pools. Since birth, 734 of the children had experienced a total of 867 water accidents where but for a chance finding drowning could have resulted. Medical treatment was sought for 10%. Forty-eight percent occurred in a bath or a domestic swimming pool.

Accident Prevention↗
PubMed1982

How children travel in cars in New Zealand.

Two years ago a nationwide observation survey of children (0-14 years) in cars demonstrated that only 20 percent were appropriately restrained. Parent education material was prepared and the law was altered so that children over eight years of age were required to use a seat belt. A repeat observation study was undertaken to determine what effect, if any, these measures had produced. Altogether 21 554 children 0-14 years were observed. Twenty-five percent were appropriately restrained. The older the child, the less likely he was to be restrained. Fifty-six percent of children over eight years of age, and travelling in the front seat were wearing seat belts--unchanged from 1978. However only 23 percent of a random sample of 1000 adults correctly identified the new traffic rule. It is necessary to improve current attempts at health education. Any future legislative changes should be widely publicised.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Parent education: its effect on the way children are transported in cars.

The effect of health education material on how parents transported their children in cars was observed. The study sample consisted of 380 mothers in a maternity hospital. There were three groups. One served as a control; another received pamphlets on child car safety; the third received pamphlets and viewed a film. How their babies were transported home was recorded and repeat observations noted six months later on 288 infants. Initially 18 percent of the controls transported their infants appropriately. At follow-up the percentage was 62. The equivalent percentages for group 2 were 37 and 60, for group 3, 49 and 62. The early changes between the control group and the others were significant (p less than 0.01, and p less than 0.001). Therefore this health education material should be routinely distributed in maternity hospitals. We did not explore the reasons for the improvement after six months in all groups, but it cannot be attributed to the material.

Automobiles↗
PubMed1982

Use of restraint systems by preschool children in cars.

Many deaths and injuries would be prevented if children in cars were adequately restrained. Cars were stopped at random and the use of child car seats by 853 children aged between 6 months and 4 years was ascertained. One hundred and thirty-three (65%) of the children aged between 6 and 11 months were travelling in seat restraints. Thirty-five (30%) of the children aged between 3 and 4 years were similarly restrained. Thus there was a significant decline in the use of child car seats within the age range for which they are suitable. There are several possible explanations for this finding and it is suggested that not only should efforts be made to encourage parents to provide car restraints for their infants but that attention should be focused on the reasons for this decline in the use of seat restraints.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1979

Children in cars. Results of an observational study in New Zealand.

If children under the age of 14 years were adequately restrained while travelling in cars, many deaths and injuries could be prevented. Seventeen thousand, one hundred and fifty-five children under 14 years of age were observed in cars. Only 20 percent overall were appropriately restrained. A breakdown into different age groups showed that the percentage of children who were adequately restrained varied with ages: less than six months 54 percent; six months-four years 18 percent; five-seven years 9.5 percent; 8--14 years 45 percent. Thirty-two percent of infants less than six months of age were travelling on their parents' knees in the front. Overall, 31 percent of the children were travelling in the front seat. Some recommendations are made and the preventive role of the health professional in this area is examined.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1977

Child health revisited.

Much discussion has taken place over the recently published mortality statistics for infants and young children. These statistics are critically examined and conclusions reached. Suggestions with regard to the improving of Child Health Services are made.

Accidents↗