Citation

Keay L, Hunter K, Bilston LE, Simpson JM, Elliott M, Thistlethwaite K, Ivers RQ, Brown J. Proc. Australas. Road Safety Res. Policing Educ. Conf. 2011; 15.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, copyright holder varies, Publisher Monash University)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Programs to increase the use of child restraints have showed promise, however reliable tools are required to evaluate these programs. Here we describe self-report and observation of child restraints as outcome measures in a cluster RCT evaluating the Buckle-Up Safely Program, an education and restraint distribution program. We interviewed a parent or carer and observed children aged 2-5 years upon arrival at one of 27 early childhood services during September-December 2010. The interview related to their journey to the early childhood service and the child was observed in the car. Self-reported was compared to observed restraint use. The results were that 736 parents or carers and their children, aged 2-5 years, were evaluated and 725 had both the interview and observations (98.5 per cent). While 20 children aged 2-5 years were observed seated in the front seat, 18 children were reported by parents to have travelled in the front seat. One third of the children observed in seatbelts (14/57, 35 per cent) were reported by parents to sit in a child restraint or booster seat. Concordance was higher between observation and self report for booster seats (91 per cent) than forward facing child restraints (86 per cent). Overall agreement between self report and direct observation was good for seat position (Kappa statistic 63 per cent, 95 per cent confidence interval 48-78 per cent) and type of restraint (Kappa statistic 79 per cent, 95 per cent confidence interval 74-83 per cent). Thus, self report slightly over-reported child restraint use and rear seating for preschool aged children in this evaluation. While self report gave an indication of appropriate restraint for age, observations allowed full characterisation of the appropriate restraint and correct use.