Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #116424

Shalini G. Forbis, MD, MPH¹, Molinda M. Chartrand, MD², Adrienne Stolfi, MSPH³, and John Pascoe, MD, MPH³. (1) Pediatrics/ Dayton PCPBRN, Wright State University, One Children's Plaza, Dayton, OH 45404, 937-641-3277, shalini.forbis@wright.edu, (2) Dayton Primary Care Practice Based Research Network, One Children's Plaza, Dayton, OH 45404, (3) Department of Pediatrics, Wright State University, Children's Medical Center, One Children's Plaza, Dayton, OH 45404

Objective: To assess rates of physician counseling on gun safety in SWO.

Methods: A two-page survey about firearm presence, storage patterns, gun safety education and family demographics was completed by families from SWO. Approximately 30 parents completed surveys during a pediatric office visit for each participating physician (n=15) of the local Primary Care Practice Based Research Network. Data analyses were completed using SPSS software.

Results: 18% of respondents reported guns in the home. 78% of respondents were the child's mothers, 51% were married and the mean (SD) age was 32 (10) years. Only 11% of respondents indicated that their child's healthcare provider had spoken to them about guns or gun safety. However, 88% of non-gun owners and 85% of gun owners (p=0.52) reported that physicians should advise about safe gun storage. In contrast, 45% of non gun owners versus 82% of gun owners believed that physicians should not advise removal of guns from the home (p=0.00). 11% of children in homes with guns and 5% of children in homes without guns (p=0.32) have had formal gun safety training.

Conclusion: Physicians in SWO do not routinely address gun safety issues, contrary to current AAP recommendations. This study highlights the fact that while families are receptive to counseling on gun safety issues from their physician, the overwhelming majority of children in homes with guns are not receiving this counseling or any sort of formal gun safety education. This is an area where physicians should focus counseling and advocacy efforts.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants should be able describe rates of physician counseling on guns safety.
• Discuss firearm presence, storage patterns and gun safety education patterns in families from Southwestern Ohio.

Keywords: Firearms, Injury Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.