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A Multi-Site Study on Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs and Practice of Child-Dog Interactions in Rural China

Author

Listed:
  • Jiabin Shen

    (Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1300 University Blvd., CH 415, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA)

  • Shaohua Li

    (School of Public Health Management, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China)

  • Huiyun Xiang

    (Center for Injury Research and Policy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Children's Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA)

  • Shulan Pang

    (School of Public Health, Hebei United University, 46 West Xinhua Road, Tangshan, Hebei 063009, China)

  • Guozhang Xu

    (Ningbo Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 237 Yongfeng Road, Ningbo, Zhejiang 315010, China)

  • David C. Schwebel

    (Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1300 University Blvd., CH 415, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA)

Abstract

This study examines demographic, cognitive and behavioral factors that predict pediatric dog-bite injury risk in rural China. A total of 1,537 children (grades 4–6) in rural regions of Anhui, Hebei and Zhejiang Provinces, China completed self-report questionnaires assessing beliefs about and behaviors with dogs. The results showed that almost 30% of children reported a history of dog bites. Children answered 56% of dog-safety knowledge items correctly. Regressions revealed both demographic and cognitive/behavioral factors predicted children’s risky interactions with dogs and dog-bite history. Boys behaved more riskily with dogs and were more frequently bitten. Older children reported greater risks with dogs and more bites. With demographics controlled, attitudes/beliefs of invulnerability, exposure frequency, and dog ownership predicted children’s self-reported risky practice with dogs. Attitudes/beliefs of invulnerability, dog exposure, and dog ownership predicted dog bites. In conclusion, both demographic and cognitive/behavioral factors influenced rural Chinese children’s dog-bite injury risk. Theory-based, empirically-supported intervention programs might reduce dog-bite injuries in rural China.

Suggested Citation

  • Jiabin Shen & Shaohua Li & Huiyun Xiang & Shulan Pang & Guozhang Xu & David C. Schwebel, 2013. "A Multi-Site Study on Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs and Practice of Child-Dog Interactions in Rural China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:10:y:2013:i:3:p:950-962:d:24072
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bruce Headey & Fu Na & Richard Zheng, 2008. "Pet Dogs Benefit Owners’ Health: A ‘Natural Experiment’ in China," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 87(3), pages 481-493, July.
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