• Denise Kendrick, Michael C Watson, Caroline A Mulvaney, Sherie J Smith, Alex J Sutton, Carol A C Coupland, and Amanda J Mason-Jones.
• Division of Primary Care, School of Nursing, University of Nottingham, Hucknall Primary Care Trust, Hucknall Health Centre, Nottingham, England, UK. denise.kendrick@nottingham.ac.uk
• Am J Prev Med. 2008 Oct 1;35(4):370-379.

BackgroundChildhood falls are an important global public health problem, but evidence on their prevention has not been quantitatively synthesized. Despite social inequalities in childhood injury rates, there is a lack of evidence examining the effect of fall-prevention practices by social group.MethodsA systematic review of literature was conducted up to June 2004 and meta-analysis using individual patient data to evaluate the effect of home-safety interventions on fall-prevention practices and fall-injury rates. Meta-regression examined the effect of interventions by child age, gender, and social variables. Included were 21 studies, 13 of which contributed to meta-analyses.ResultsHome-safety interventions increased stair-gate use (OR=1.26; 95% CI=1.05, 1.51), and there was some evidence of reduced baby-walker use (OR=0.66; 95% CI=0.43, 1.00), but little evidence of increased possession of window locks, screens, or windows with limited opening (OR=1.16, 95% CI=0.84, 1.59) or of nonslip bath mats or decals (OR=1.15; 95% CI=0.51, 2.62). Two studies reported nonsignificant effects on falls (baby-walker-related falls on flat ground [OR=1.35; 95% CI=0.64, 2.83] or down steps or stairs [OR=0.70; 95% CI=0.14, 3.49]) and medically attended falls (OR=0.78; 95% CI=0.61, 1.00).ConclusionsHome-safety education and the provision of safety equipment improved some fall-prevention practices, but the impact on fall-injury rates is unclear. There was some evidence that the effect of home-safety interventions varied by social group.

12 keywords...

hide…