Evaluation of educational programs to prevent accidents while bathing

OBJECTIVE Approximately 19,000 people die in Japan each year from accidents that occur while bathing. Yamagata Prefectural Shounai public health center had educated residents about proper bathing practice. We evaluated residents' knowledge about safe bathing practices after an educational campaign in the area.METHODS We distributed a questionnaire to 3,078 people to gauge their awareness of bathing accidents in general and the effectiveness of a safety campaign from the public health center prevention. Participants included people who had attended a meeting, workshop, lecture, or event at the public health center.RESULTS A total of 2,697 people responded (87.6% response rate). A large majority (92%) knew about safe bathing practices in general. However, only 43% knew that bathing in hot water less than 41 degrees Celsius could help to reduce bathing accidents. Only 56% bathed in water below 41 degrees Celsius. Similarly, 81% knew about the preheating before bathing in dressing room and bathroom, but practiced only 50% of those. About recognition of the actual situation of the bathing accident and recognition of the prophylaxis, a student attending a lecture was higher than a lecture non-student attending a lecture more than 10% Conclusion Recognitions and practices of safe bathing practices had big difference, and development of an effective communication method will be important. Language: en