Citation

Spanier AJ, Mercante D, Barkemeyer BM. South. Med. J. 2002; 95(9): 1017-1021.

Affiliation

Department of Pediatrics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans 70112, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, Southern Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12356101

Abstract

BACKGROUND: To help direct future educational efforts, this study was conducted to assess the knowledge and attitudes relating to child safety seat use in an urban postpartum population. METHODS: An oral survey was administered to postpartum patients at two urban hospitals (one private and one public) to collect demographic information and to assess knowledge of proper use of a child safety seat. RESULTS: Mothers in the private hospital scored higher on knowledge assessment than those in the public hospital. The most important factors relating to knowledge were maternal education and reported previous child safety seat education, while having a previous child had no significant influence. CONCLUSIONS: In this urban setting, educational interventions are most needed in mothers with lower levels of education, and mothers with previous children should be included in such efforts. Additional investigation is needed to enhance infant safety for a large number of mothers who travel by public transportation.