Citation

Gunn VL, Phillippi RM, Cooper WO. Inj. Prev. 2005; 11(6): 340-342.

Affiliation

Department of Pediatrics, Child and Adolescent Health Research Unit, Division of General Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/ip.2005.008706

PMID

16326767

PMCID

PMC1730290

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the appropriate use of child safety restraints (CSR) in black and white children. DESIGN: Cross sectional, observational study of drivers of children age 0-10 years involving an on-site vehicle and CSR inspection and brief driver interview. RESULTS: Data were obtained on 244 white and 204 black children; results were stratified by race due to effect modification of race on driver restraint use and CSR use. Twenty four percent of black and 13% of white child passengers aged 4-10 years were completely unrestrained (p = 0.003). Of the 168 black and 220 white child passengers aged 0-10 years who were restrained, 64% of black and 58% of white children had inappropriate restraint use. Appropriate CSR use was significantly lower in 4-8 year old passengers compared with appropriately restrained children aged <4 years and 9-10 years (p<0.0001 for both black and white child passengers). CONCLUSIONS: Black child passengers and all child passengers aged 4-8 years are at increased risk of being inappropriately restrained. Educational efforts should address specific barriers to booster seat use in these populations.