Journal article
Study protocol: developing and evaluating an interactive web platform to teach children hunting, shooting and firearms safety: a randomized controlled trial
BMC public health, Vol.21(1), 308
02/06/2021
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10345-3
PMCID: PMC7866873
PMID: 33549072
Abstract
Background
Firearms injuries present a major pediatric public health challenge in the United States. This study protocol describes research to develop and then conduct a randomized clinical trial to evaluate ShootSafe, an interactive, engaging, educational website to teach children firearms safety.
ShootSafe has three primary goals: (a) teach children basic knowledge and skills needed to hunt, shoot, and use firearms safely; (b) help children learn and hone critical cognitive skills of impulse control and hypothetical thinking needed to use firearms safely; and (c) alter children’s perceptions about their own vulnerability and susceptibility to firearms-related injuries, the severity of those injuries, and their perceived norms about peer behavior surrounding firearms use. ShootSafe will accomplish these goals through a combination of interactive games plus short, impactful testimonial videos and short expert-led educational videos.
Methods
Following website development, ShootSafe will be evaluated through a randomized controlled trial with 162 children ages 10–12, randomly assigning children to engage in ShootSafe or an active control website. Multiple self-report, computer-based, and behavioral measures will assess functioning at baseline, immediately following training, and at 4-month follow-up. Four sets of outcomes will be considered: firearms safety knowledge; cognitive skills in impulse control and hypothetical thinking; perceptions about firearms safety; and simulated behavior when handling, storing and transporting firearms. Training in both conditions will comprise two 45-min sessions.
Discussion
If results are as hypothesized, ShootSafe offers potential as a theory-based program to teach children firearms safety in an accessible, engaging and educational manner. Translation into practice is highly feasible.
Trial registration
The study protocol was registered on 11/10/20 at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04622943).
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Study protocol: developing and evaluating an interactive web platform to teach children hunting, shooting and firearms safety: a randomized controlled trial
- Creators
- David C. Schwebel - University of Alabama at BirminghamD. Leann Long - University of Alabama at BirminghamMarissa Gowey - University of Alabama at BirminghamJoan Severson - Digital ArtefactsYefei He - Digital ArtefactsKatelyn Trullinger - Digital Artefacts
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- BMC public health, Vol.21(1), 308
- DOI
- 10.1186/s12889-021-10345-3
- PMID
- 33549072
- PMCID
- PMC7866873
- NLM abbreviation
- BMC Public Health
- ISSN
- 1471-2458
- eISSN
- 1471-2458
- Publisher
- BioMed Central
- Grant note
- R01CE003307 / ;
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 02/06/2021
- Academic Unit
- Research Administration
- Record Identifier
- 9984949467402771
Metrics
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