Multicenter testing of a burn prevention teaching tool for Amish children

Burn prevention is not taught in Amish schools despite significant cultural risks for burn injuries related to scalds, ignition of clothing, and ignition of highly flammable materials. A culturally appropriate and acceptable burn prevention teaching tool was previously developed and pilot-tested in one Amish school. The purpose of this study was to perform further evaluation of this burn prevention teaching tool for Amish children. Following institutional review board approval, private schools were recruited via invitation in Amish newsletters. A teaching tool, which includes a magnetic story board, burn safety curriculum, and test questions, was provided to each school. Teachers obtained parental permission and informed assent for the children to participate. Teaching was guided by the curriculum and involved arranging magnetic pieces to illustrate and tell stories about burn hazards. The children were challenged to rearrange the magnets for a safer situation. Pretests and posttests were used to capture baseline knowledge and measure improvement. Scores were expressed as a percentage of the 33 test items answered correctly. Teachers provided recommendations and a written evaluation of the tool's usefulness. The participants were 294 students from 15 private Amish schools across eight states. Test scores were significantly improved by the lessons, without regard to gender or grade groups. Teachers valued the tool and recommended no changes. This multicenter study demonstrated that a culturally appropriate burn prevention teaching tool was highly effective for improving burn prevention knowledge among Amish school children. These results support expansion of burn prevention education to other Amish communities.