Abstract
Research has demonstrated the potential of community first aid programmes in raising awareness of the likelihood of injury and of hazards which have a potential for causing injury. The project aimed to examine changes in parental/carer attitudes towards their roles and responsibilities in the accident-injury process, their perceived threat of childhood injury as well as the nature of action taken as a result of receiving first aid training.
The evaluation findings demonstrated the success of the training in improving parental/carer factual knowledge and confidence levels regarding first aid techniques. Significant improvements were also obtained in awareness levels concerning parental/carer roles in childhood accident prevention and knowledge relating to risk of prevention of childhood accidental injury.
It is suggested that the use of modified first aid training sessions for parents/carers attending toddler groups is an effective way of marketing childhood accident prevention issues as well as significantly affecting knowledge levels and attitudes towards prevention. Motivation to take preventative action may be increased as a result of such training.