@article{ref1,
title="An Emergency Department Intervention to Increase Booster Seat Use for Lower Socioeconomic Families",
journal="Academic emergency medicine",
year="2006",
author="Gittelman, Michael A. and Pomerantz, W. J. and Laurence, Susan",
volume="13",
number="4",
pages="396-400",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of booster seat education within an emergency department (ED) setting for families residing in lower socioeconomic neighborhoods. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized study of families with children aged 4 to 7 years and weighing 40 to 80 lb who presented to a pediatric ED without a booster seat and resided in lower socioeconomic communities. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups: 1) received standard discharge instructions, 2) received five-minute booster seat training, and 3) received five-minute booster seat training and free booster seat with installation. Automobile restraint practices were obtained initially and by telephone at one month. RESULTS: A total of 225 children were enrolled. Before randomization in the study, 79.6% of parents reported that their child was usually positioned in the car with a lap/shoulder belt and 13.3% with a lap belt alone. Some parents (16.4%) had never heard of a booster seat, and 44.9% believed a lap belt was sufficient restraint. A total of 147 parents (65.3%) were contacted for follow-up at one month. Only one parent (1.3%) in the control group and four parents (5.3%) in the education group purchased and used a booster seat after their ED visit, while 55 parents (98.2%) in the education and installation group reported using the booster seat; 42 (75.0%) of these parents reported using the seat 100% of the time. CONCLUSIONS: Education in a pediatric ED did not convince parents to purchase and use booster seats; however, the combination of education with installation significantly increased booster seat use in this population.",
language="",
issn="1069-6563",
doi="10.1197/j.aem.2005.11.002",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1197/j.aem.2005.11.002"
}