Journal article
Paraffin-related injury in low-income South African communities: knowledge, practice and perceived risk
Bulletin of the World Health Organization, Vol.87(9), pp.700-706
09/2009
DOI: 10.2471/BLT.08.057505
PMCID: 2739913
PMID: 19784450
Abstract
Objective To explore what individuals at risk of injury from using paraffin (also known as-kerosene) know about paraffin safety, what they do to protect themselves and their families from paraffin-related injury, and how they perceive their risk for such injury. Also, to explore interrelations between these factors and age, sex, education and income.
Methods A sample of 238 individuals was randomly recruited from low-income housing districts near Cape Town, South Africa in 2007. Trained research assistants interviewed participants to explore their knowledge about paraffin-related safety and their perceived risk of injury from using paraffin, Researchers inspected. participants' homes to evaluate paraffin safety practices. Descriptive and correlational analyses were conducted.
Findings Participants had relatively low levels of knowledge about paraffin-related safety. They had high levels of unsafe practice and their perceived risk of injury was moderate. Knowledge of paraffin safety and sale practices were positively correlated with each other Greater knowledge showed a negative correlation with the perception of being at risk for injury, but safe practices showed no correlation with perceived risk of injury. Formal education, the number of children in the home and frequency of paraffin use were positively correlated with knowledge but not with safe practices. The only significant correlate to safe practices was greater income, perhaps a reflection of the impact of financial resources on paraffin safety practices.
Conclusion To develop successful paraffin safety interventions, it is necessary to understand baseline levels of knowledge, practice and perceived risk of injury among at-risk populations. Our findings could be of value for designing interventions that will increase knowledge, improve safe practices and lead to the accurate perception of the risk of injury from using paraffin.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Paraffin-related injury in low-income South African communities: knowledge, practice and perceived risk
- Creators
- David C. Schwebel - University of Alabama at BirminghamDehran Swart - Paraffin Safety Assoc So Afr, Cape Town, South AfricaSiu-Kuen Azor Hui - University of AlabamaJennifer Simpson - University of Alabama at BirminghamPhumla Hobe - Paraffin Safety Assoc So Afr, Cape Town, South Africa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Bulletin of the World Health Organization, Vol.87(9), pp.700-706
- DOI
- 10.2471/BLT.08.057505
- PMID
- 19784450
- PMCID
- 2739913
- NLM abbreviation
- Bull World Health Organ
- ISSN
- 0042-9686
- eISSN
- 1564-0604
- Publisher
- World Health Organization
- Number of pages
- 7
- Grant note
- Framework for Global Health Grant Program at the University of Alabama Paraffin Safety Association of Southern Africa Birmingham Sparkman Center for Global Health
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 09/2009
- Academic Unit
- Research Administration
- Record Identifier
- 9984949175802771
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