Analysis of Newspaper Research Report

Analysis of Newspaper Research Report

The article, “Rise in Nursery-Product Injuries Baffles U.S. Safety Watchdog”, in bold print in a recent edition of The Wall Street Journal, captured the attention of many readers. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the statistical procedures used in this study, the findings and conclusions used to arrive at this announcement, and the appropriateness of the report.

Introduction

“Nursery products were involved in 66,400 injuries that sent children to emergency rooms in 2006, an 11% increase from the year earlier, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).” (McQueen, 2008). The newspaper report states that the CPSC is not sure why there is an increase in injuries, but that not all the accidents were caused by product failure. The report includes 241 as the number of deaths from 2002 through 2004, all related to nursery products, but not necessarily caused by them. A statement from an advocacy group is included that advises the need for new federal requirements for durability testing.

Study Findings

Table 1 from the CPSC report, shows the estimated number of injuries in children under five between 2004 and 2006. “While there was no trend observed over the 2004-2006 period, there was a statistically significant increase in the estimated total injuries from 2005 to 2006 (p-value=0.0287). (Chowdhury, 2008, p.4) These figures are obtained by the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) as a probability sample from emergency departments which helps the CPSC to make national estimates. Table 2 shows the estimated injuries in 2006 in children under age five by type of nursery product. This report also states that while nursery products were related, not all injuries were caused by the failure of the product.

Table 1: Estimated Injuries to Children under Five Associated with Nursery Products

2004-2006

Calendar Year Estimated Injuries

2004 64,900

2005 59,800

2006 66,400

2004-2006 Average 63,700

Source: NEISS, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (Chowdhury, 2008, p.4)

Table 2: Estimated Injuries in 2006 Among Children under age Five by Type of Nursery Product

Product Category Estimated Injuries CY 2006

TOTAL 66,400

Infant Carriers and Car Seats (Excludes Motor Vehicle Accidents) 14,200

Cribs and Mattresses 11,300

Strollers and Carriages 11,100

High Chairs 9,900

Baby Walkers, Jumpers, and Exercisers 4,000

Changing Tables 3,800

Baby Bouncer Seats 2,100

Baby Gates and Barriers 2,000

Portable Baby Swings 1,600

Playpens and Play Yards 1,100

Baby Baths, Bath Seats, and Bathinettes ---3

Bassinets and Cradles ---3

Other4 5,300

Source: NEISS, CPSC.

Note: The injury estimates may not add up to the total due to rounding and because two or more nursery products are sometimes associated with a single injury.

Statistical Procedures

To analyze nursery product-related injury, the CPSC used the database of NEISS from 01/01/2006 through 12/31/2006, using specific product codes and only children ages 0-4 were included. Motor vehicle accidents and diaper rash cases were excluded. “After adding additional years of data (2002 and 2003), statistical tests were performed to determine if any trends exist. While there was a significant increase from 2005 to 2006 (p-value=0.0287), there was no statistically significant trend observed from 2002 to 2006 (p-value=0.04414).”(Chowdhury, 2008, p.8) Table 3 shows the estimated number of injuries treated in emergency departments from 2002 through 2006.

Table 3. Nursery Product-Related Emergency Department Treated Injury Estimates, 2002-2006

Calendar Year Estimated Injuries 95% Confidence Interval

2002 67,000 54,800-79,300

2003 60,700 50,500-70,900

2004 64,900 52,000-77,800

2005 59,800 48,500-71,100

2006 66,400 53,000-79,800

Source: NEISS, CPSC. Estimates rounded to the nearest 100.(Chowdhury, 2008, p.9)

Several databases were used to estimate the number of