Inequalities in receipt of injury prevention in primary care

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the receipt of a variety of injury- prevention interventions by socio-demographic characteristics. The families of children aged 3-12 months registered with 18 general practices across Nottingham comprised the intervention groups for the trial (n = 1100). The package of interventions included: standardised safety advice at child-health surveillance consultations (CHS) at 6-9, 12-15 and 18-24 months; provision of low-cost stair-gates, fireguards, smoke alarms and cupboard locks to families in receipt of means-tested benefits; standardised home-safety checks and free first-aid training. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey of socio-demographic characteristics was followed by assessment of whether interventions had been received during a two-year period. Seventy-eight per cent (n = 857) of families received at least one intervention. Safety advice at CHS was less likely to be received by families without access to a car and those belonging to an ethnic group other than white. Home safety checks were less likely to be received by families in receipt of benefits and families whose children had suffered an injury, First-aid training was less likely to be received by families living in rented accommodation. Low-cost safety equipment was more likely to be received by families living in rented accommodation and those receiving benefits. Injury prevention interventions are not accessed equally by all socio- demographic groups, and the provision of low-cost safety equipment may help to reduce this inequality, Inequality in receipt of safety advice at child health surveillance by ethnic group has been demonstrated and further work is required to address the reasons for this. Targeting injury prevention towards this group may be required.