Safety Assessments and Modifications for Home Accidents

(CHASE Trial)

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Disqualifiers: Income, Location, Child age, Program, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to make homes safer for young children by identifying and fixing potential injury risks. Researchers will assess and implement safety modifications, known as Housing Assessment/Safety Modifications, in 300 low-income homes in Baltimore. The study will also evaluate the cost and effectiveness of these safety improvements. Families may qualify if they have a child under 7 years old, live in Baltimore City or County, and participate in specific local programs for foster care or asthma support. As an unphased trial, this study offers families the opportunity to directly contribute to creating safer living environments for children.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that these safety modifications are effective for preventing home accidents?

Research has shown that modifying homes can reduce the risk of injuries for children. Studies have found that adding safety features like gates or window guards decreases the chances of accidents. This approach focuses on making homes safer and more child-friendly.

This study does not have a specific trial phase because it does not test a drug or medical device. Instead, it focuses on altering the home environment. These changes have been used before and are generally well-received, as they involve simple adjustments rather than medical treatments.

No negative effects are expected from these home safety improvements, as they aim to prevent harm rather than introduce new risks. The goal is to create a safer living space for children, and past research has shown positive results. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Housing Assessment and Safety Modifications because they aim to directly address the root causes of home accidents by transforming the living environments of low-income families with young children. Unlike traditional methods that might focus on treating injuries or managing symptoms after an accident, this approach proactively identifies and eliminates potential hazards in the home, reducing risks before they lead to accidents. By focusing on prevention through tailored home safety enhancements, this method has the potential to significantly improve the overall safety and well-being of these families, potentially leading to a broader understanding of how environment impacts health outcomes.

What evidence suggests that these safety modifications are effective for preventing childhood home injuries?

Research has shown that changes to the home can greatly reduce the risk of injuries for children. In this trial, participants will receive housing assessments and safety modifications. Studies have found that families who implement these safety changes have 62% fewer hazards at home, resulting in fewer trips to the doctor for injuries. Years of research confirm that these home changes are effective. Families become more aware of potential dangers, helping to prevent accidents. Overall, making homes safer for kids offers clear benefits supported by strong evidence. ^{1 2 4 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Wendy Shields, PhD

Principal Investigator

Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for low-income families in Baltimore with a child under 7, or foster homes planning to host such a child. Participants must be involved in specific local housing programs and meet income criteria set by HUD.

Inclusion Criteria

I live in a household with a child under 7 or plan to foster one.

A home address in Baltimore City or Baltimore County

Income at or below 80% AMI as defined by US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Exclusion Criteria

Parent or guardian whose household is not participating in either the GHHI DSS Foster Care Homes Program (FCHP) OR GHHI Amerigroup Maryland Asthma Program (AMAP)

Income is not at or below 80% AMI as defined by HUD

The home address is not in Baltimore City or Baltimore County

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Community Engagement

Engage with the community to prepare for the implementation of injury prevention measures

4 weeks

Enrollment

Initial home visit and assessment for injury risks, creation of CHASE Family Feedback Form, and education on needed modifications

4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Re-Assessment

Second home visit to assess changes, perform modifications, and survey to understand barriers and facilitators

4 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-Up

Measure sustainability of modifications and obtain feedback on the program

3 months

2 visits (in-person)

Evaluation and Dissemination

Evaluate the results and disseminate findings to expand the impact of the project

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Housing Assessment/Safety Modifications

Trial Overview The study tests home safety modifications using the CHASE Tool to prevent injuries in children. It assesses the costs of these changes and evaluates how feasible and consistent they are across different households.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Participants Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This arm consists of 300 homes of low-income families with children \< 7 years of age who are referred from two of GHHI's currently active programs, DSS Foster Care Homes Program, and Amerigroup Maryland Asthma Program.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

Lead Sponsor

Trials

441

Recruited

2,157,000+

Green and Healthy Homes Initiative

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

300+

US Department of Housing and Urban Development

Collaborator

Trials

8

Recruited

5,800+

Citations

1. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37817290/

a protocol for the inspection and modification of injury risks ... Background: Decades of research and practice experience have led to an extensive body of evidence about effective home safety modifications.

2. injepijournal.biomedcentral.com injepijournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40621-023-00460-7

CHASE (Children's Housing Assessment for a Safe ... Decades of research and practice experience have led to an extensive body of evidence about effective home safety modifications.

3. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11483803/

The effectiveness of a home visit to prevent childhood injury However, the intervention group reported home safety modifications of 62% at 4 months and significantly less injury visits to the doctor compared with the ...

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/375387284_CHASE_Children's_Housing_Assessment_for_a_Safe_Environment_a_protocol_for_the_inspection_and_modification_of_injury_risks_in_children's_homes

(PDF) CHASE (Children's Housing Assessment for a Safe ... Background Decades of research and practice experience have led to an extensive body of evidence about effective home safety modifications.

5. cureus.com cureus.com/articles/116128-a-randomized-control-study-to-evaluate-the-efficacy-of-safe-home-toolkit-for-under-five-children-sht-ufc-on-the-awareness-of-parents-regarding-the-prevention-of-domestic-accidents.pdf

A Randomized Control Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of ... This study revealed that a safe home toolkit for under-five children (SHT-UFC) is effective in creating awareness among parents regarding the ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10313983/

Effectiveness of systematically delivered evidence-based ... Child injury risk can be reduced through home modifications and undertaking a range of safety practices; providing education and supplying ...

7. ctv.veeva.com ctv.veeva.com/study/implementation-of-the-child-housing-assessment-for-a-safe-environment

Implementation of the Child Housing Assessment for a Safe ... This implementation study uses a multi-method quantitative and qualitative, non-experimental design to estimate the magnitude of home injury ...