Increasing the Use of Child Restraints in Motor Vehicles
An Evidence-Based Practice
Description
A survey of Hispanic preschool-aged children in west Dallas conducted in 1997 showed much lower child restraint use (19%) than among preschool children of all races in the rest of the city (62%). This program used the Safe Communities model to develop a community intervention to increase child restraint use and adult safety belt use. Parents who participate in child safety seat classes, held in Spanish and English, receive a car seat. The program offers traffic safety workshops including information on vehicle safety, driver's licenses, immigration, social security laws, and proper installation of child safety seats. Pamphlets promoting the program were distributed at local stores, churches, and community centers. Local Spanish-language radio and television shows distributed educational materials about child safety seats. Pediatricians at health centers promoted child safety seat use. The program was promoted at health fairs, events at the health center, block parties, raffles, games to promote safety seat use, local festivals, and other events.
Goal / Mission
The goal of this program is to increase child restraint use by Hispanic community members.
Results / Accomplishments
This program was evaluated using observations of child restraint use at grocery stores, day care centers, and the health clinic before and after the intervention. Child restraint use among preschool-aged Hispanic children increased significantly in all three settings between 1997 and 2000 (p < 0.0001). By 2000, use of restraints among Hispanic children attending the health center was higher than use in the rest of the survey (72% vs. 68%). Use was substantially higher among children under one year than among children aged 2 to 4 years. Driver seat belt use also increased significantly in each of the three settings (p < 0.001) while driver seat belt use for other parts of Dallas showed no significant change.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
Injury Prevention of Greater Dallas
Primary Contact
Gregory Istre, MD
Injury Prevention Center
6300 Harry Hines Blvd Suite 240
Dallas, TX 75235
214-223-9949
gregory@gregoryistre.com
http://www.injurypreventioncenter.org/
Injury Prevention Center
6300 Harry Hines Blvd Suite 240
Dallas, TX 75235
214-223-9949
gregory@gregoryistre.com
http://www.injurypreventioncenter.org/
Topics
Community / Public Safety
Health / Children's Health
Community / Transportation
Health / Children's Health
Community / Transportation
Organization(s)
Injury Prevention of Greater Dallas
Source
American Journal of Public Health
Geographic Type
Urban
Location
Dallas, TX
For more details
Target Audience
Children, Racial/Ethnic Minorities