Network meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to increase the uptake of smoke alarms

Nicola J Cooper, Denise Kendrick, Felix Achana, Paula Dhiman, Zhimin He, Persephone Wynn, Elodie Le Cozannet, Pedro Saramago, Alex J Sutton

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study is the first known to use network meta-analysis to simultaneously evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to increase the prevalence of functioning smoke alarms in households with children. The authors identified 24 primary studies from a systematic review of reviews and of more recently published primary studies, of which 23 (17 randomized controlled trials and 6 nonrandomized comparative studies) were included in 1 of the following 2 network meta-analyses: 1) possession of a functioning alarm: interventions that were more "intensive" (i.e., included components providing equipment (with or without fitting), home inspection, or both, in addition to education) generally were more effective. The intervention containing all of the aforementioned components was identified as being the most likely to be the most effective (probability (best) = 0.66), with an odds ratio versus usual care of 7.15 (95% credible interval: 2.40, 22.73); 2) type of battery-powered alarms: ionization alarms with lithium batteries were most likely to be the best type for increasing functioning possession (probability (best) = 0.69). Smoke alarm promotion programs should ensure they provide the combination of interventions most likely to be effective.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)32-45
Number of pages14
JournalEpidemiologic Reviews
Volume34
Issue number1
Early online date29 Nov 2011
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2012

Keywords

  • Fires
  • Health Promotion
  • Housing
  • Protective Devices
  • Safety
  • Smoke

Cite this