Effects of a Booster Seat Education and Distribution Program in Child Care Centers on Child Restraint Use Among Children Aged 4 to 8 Years

This article reports on a cluster, randomized controlled study undertaken to compare child care center–based booster seat education and distribution with no intervention. The study include 854 parents and 1,010 children aged 4 to 8 years old, involved at 39 urban child care centers. The authors trained 168 staff members at 20 centers to give parents and children messages promoting booster seats and supplied lesson plans, children's activities, and free booster seats. The results showed that parents at intervention centers were more likely to report receiving restraint information from the center, speaking with staff about booster seats, and using fit to decide when to move children into seat belts. Groups did not differ in proportions using booster seats, good practice, or legal restraints. Results were similar for both age groups of children: those aged 4 to 5 and those aged 6 to 8 years. All outcomes were significantly less likely among children riding in pickup trucks or with Hispanic or black drivers. The authors conclude that the intervention increased parents' receipt of information from center staff and knowledge about booster seats but not booster seat use. They call for additional research to identify methods and messages that will empower center providers to promote booster seats effectively and reach high-risk populations.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/10724710
• Authors:
  • Thoreson, Sallie
  • Myers, Lindsey
  • Goss, Cynthia
  • DiGuiseppi, Carolyn
• Publication Date: 2009-3

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 261-267
• Serial:
  • Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
  • Volume: 163
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: American Medical Association
  • ISSN: 1072-4710

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Booster seats; Child restraint systems; Children; Demographics; Parents; Promotion; Risk assessment; Safety education
• Uncontrolled Terms: Child care centers
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I84: Personal Injuries;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01127233
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 28 2009 8:09AM