Abstract
ABSTRACTObjective: To describe children’s perception of risk and preventive factors related to traffic accidents using the Edutherapeutic Method.Methods: This is a qualitative descriptive study carried out with 173 students from public schools aged seven to 14 years in Lagarto, Sergipe, Brazil. Data were collected in the second half of 2014. The first stage consisted of an activity with drawing/writing sheets in all classes selected by the Nursing undergraduate students. Next, the children answered a questionnaire on sociodemographic data. The qualitative analysis of the expressive language of the children’s drawings generated two categories: positive and negative factors for the prevention of traffic accidents and their subcategories.Results: The children’s perception regarding preventive and risk factors for traffic accidents was considered adequate according to other studies found in the literature on the same subject. The drawings and descriptions were used later to provide the students with a better understanding of these factors.Conclusions: The study lends support to educational activities and interventions about prevention with schoolchildren. This is one of the main goals proposed by Brazil in the National Plan of Action for Road Traffic Safety for the decade 2011-2020.
Highlights
Traffic accidents are responsible for a high number of victims and represent a major public health problem
The worldwide number of road deaths remains high (1.25 million deaths per year), with the greatest incidence in low-income countries, such as Brazil, which, according to the National Mortality Information System (SIM), had a total of 38,265 deaths resulting from traffic accidents in 2016.4,5 In 2014, 4,665 accidental deaths of children and adolescents aged zero to 14 years were reported in Brazil – traffic accidents were the main cause, accounting for 38% of fatalities.[6]
By using drawings as a research tool, the present study aimed to describe children’s perception of risk and preventive factors related to traffic accidents using the Edutherapeutic Method
Summary
Traffic accidents are responsible for a high number of victims and represent a major public health problem This topic is neglected by governments and the general population.[1] According to the Global Status Report on Road Safety, traffic accidents cause more than 1.3 million deaths and 20–50 million injuries each year, resulting in a huge impact on the health and development of the country.[2]. Faced with this problem, the United Nations General Assembly has declared the 2011–2020 period as the Decade of Action for Road Safety, aimed at reducing the number of road deaths by 50% and saving about five million lives. Preventing traffic accidents is an ongoing challenge and should, be taken seriously.[7]
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