Impact of community educational programmes on foreign body aspiration in Israel

The study objectives were to determine the impact of a nationwide educational campaign on the incidence of foreign body aspiration (FBA) in Israeli children. Impressed by the alarming number of FBAs, we conducted an educational campaign through the media during 1982-1983. The campaign included television and radio broadcasts, newspaper articles and interviews, and medical educational programmes in community paediatric care centres. Questionnaires were sent to all Departments of Paediatrics in Israel. Results showed a reduction in the incidence of FBA by 35% in 1983 as compared to 1981. Re-evaluation studies conducted in 1992 showed no further reduction of FBA. CONCLUSION. Continuous and extensive educational programmes should be undertaken by the health authorities if FBA is to be prevented. Furthermore, it is important to legislate mandatory labelling of seed and nut containers with the warning that the intake of seeds is dangerous to children under 5 years of age.