METHODOLOGIC ISSUES Design and implementation of injury prevention curricula for elementary schools: lessons learned

sive injury prevention curriculum for elementary schools; (2) pilot the program to determine instructors’ ease in teaching the material and its usefulness in enhancing student knowledge and behavior change; (3) present material in subject-integrated, grade-specific lessons that would meet state and national student learning objectives; and (4) submit and obtain adoption of the curriculum by the State Depart-ment of Education. Methods: A pilot program was developed, implemented, and evaluated in six intervention and six control schools. The curriculum was revised and implemented in five other schools and finalized according to evaluation results and teachers ’ and parents ’ suggestions. Community resources such as police, fire, and county health departments participated in program implementation. Results: The program showed a significant increase from 21 % to 36 % in seatbelt use during the school year in program schools compared with a 1 % decrease in control schools. Bicycle helmet use increased from 0 % to 10 % in the program schools. Pre-test and post-test results showed significant differences in student knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors within the program schools, and in comparing the program and control schools. On a Likert scale of 1 (poor) to 7 (excellent), teachers rated lesson con-tent, exercises, and the usefulness of materials and resources as 5.8, 5.5, and 5.4, respectively. Evalu