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Evaluation of a Drowning Prevention Program Based on Testimonial Videos: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Jiabin Shen1, Shulan Pang2, David C Schwebel3
1Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham and jiabin.shen@nationwidechildrens.org.
Journal of Pediatric Psychology
|November 8, 2015
Summary
A testimonial-based intervention improved safety knowledge and simulated water behaviors in rural Chinese children, offering a promising approach to prevent childhood drowning deaths. This method shows potential for reducing drowning risks in vulnerable populations.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Unintentional drowning is a leading cause of death for children in rural China.
- Existing global intervention strategies for drowning prevention have yielded inconsistent results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a testimonial-based intervention in reducing drowning risk among rural Chinese children.
- To assess the impact of the intervention on children's safety knowledge, perceived vulnerability, and simulated water behaviors.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 280 3rd and 4th-grade students in rural China.
- Participants were assigned to view either drowning risk testimonials (intervention) or dog-bite risk testimonials (control).
- Data were collected via self-report questionnaires for safety knowledge and perceived vulnerability, and a dollhouse task assessed simulated behaviors.
Main Results:
- The intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in safety knowledge compared to the control group.
- Children in the intervention group also showed enhanced simulated behaviors in and near water.
- No significant difference in perceived vulnerability was observed between the intervention and control groups.
Conclusions:
- Testimonial-based interventions show promise for improving child safety knowledge and behaviors related to water risks.
- This intervention strategy appears effective in mitigating drowning risks among rural Chinese children.
- Further research may explore enhancing perceived vulnerability components in future interventions.
