Attitudes toward the use of baby walkers among healthcare personnel
Mazen M Alessa, Wafa Al-Qabandi, Majda Humoud
Abstract
Background
Baby walkers (BW) are commonly used among the population in Kuwait with high incidence of injuries and without awareness of their harms.
Aims
The aim of the study is to identify the attitudes of healthcare personnel in Kuwait towards the use of BW.
Methods
Self-administered questionnaires were distributed among 144 health workers of different specialties in hospitals in the State of Kuwait to find out the perceived benefits and associated risks of BWs.
Results
108 participants had children and 36 did not. Of those, who had children, 87 (80.6 per cent) have used a BW. The most common reasons for using a BW were: to promote early walking (60.9 per cent), to give the child freedom (44.8 per cent), and to keep the child safe (43.7 per cent) and entertained (43.7 per cent). 20 participants reported injuries sustained from the BW (23.0 per cent). The majority of participants (52.8 per cent), mostly paediatricians and physiotherapists acknowledged the risks of BWs, but most participants also believed that BWs increase a child’s motor activity levels (64.6 per cent).
Conclusion
Healthcare personnel commonly think highly of BWs and believe that it benefits the child.
Full Text:
Baby walkers (BW) are commonly used among the population in Kuwait with high incidence of injuries and without awareness of their harms.
Aims
The aim of the study is to identify the attitudes of healthcare personnel in Kuwait towards the use of BW.
Methods
Self-administered questionnaires were distributed among 144 health workers of different specialties in hospitals in the State of Kuwait to find out the perceived benefits and associated risks of BWs.
Results
108 participants had children and 36 did not. Of those, who had children, 87 (80.6 per cent) have used a BW. The most common reasons for using a BW were: to promote early walking (60.9 per cent), to give the child freedom (44.8 per cent), and to keep the child safe (43.7 per cent) and entertained (43.7 per cent). 20 participants reported injuries sustained from the BW (23.0 per cent). The majority of participants (52.8 per cent), mostly paediatricians and physiotherapists acknowledged the risks of BWs, but most participants also believed that BWs increase a child’s motor activity levels (64.6 per cent).
Conclusion
Healthcare personnel commonly think highly of BWs and believe that it benefits the child.
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