%0 Journal Article %T The advocacy for pedestrian safety study: cluster randomised trial evaluating a political advocacy approach to reduce pedestrian injuries in deprived communities %J PLoS one %D 2013 %A Lyons, Ronan Anthony %A Kendrick, Denise %A Towner, Elizabeth M. L. %A Coupland, Carol A. C. %A Hayes, H. R. Michael (Mike) %A Christie, Nicola %A Sleney, Judith %A Jones, Sarah %A Kimberlee, Richard %A Rodgers, Sarah E. %A Turner, Samantha %A Brussoni, Mariana J. %A Vinogradova, Yana %A Sarvotham, Tinnu %A Macey, Steven %V 8 %N 4 %P e60158-e60158 %X OBJECTIVE: To determine whether advocacy targeted at local politicians leads to action to reduce the risk of pedestrian injury in deprived areas. DESIGN: Cluster randomised controlled trial. SETTING: 239 electoral wards in 57 local authorities in England and Wales. PARTICIPANTS: 617 elected local politicians. INTERVENTIONS: Intervention group politicians were provided with tailored information packs, including maps of casualty sites, numbers injured and a synopsis of effective interventions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 25-30 months post intervention, primary outcomes included: electoral ward level: percentage of road traffic calmed; proportion with new interventions; school level: percentage with 20 mph zones, Safe Routes to School, pedestrian training or road safety education; politician level: percentage lobbying for safety measures. Secondary outcomes included politicians' interest and involvement in injury prevention, and facilitators and barriers to implementation. RESULTS: PRIMARY OUTCOMES DID NOT SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFER: % difference in traffic calming (0.07, 95%CI: -0.07 to 0.20); proportion of schools with 20 mph zones (RR 1.47, 95%CI: 0.93 to 2.32), Safe Routes to School (RR 1.34, 95%CI: 0.83 to 2.17), pedestrian training (RR 1.23, 95%CI: 0.95 to 1.61) or other safety education (RR 1.16, 95%CI: 0.97 to 1.39). Intervention group politicians reported greater interest in child injury prevention (RR 1.09, 95%CI 1.03 to 1.16), belief in potential to help prevent injuries (RR 1.36, 95%CI 1.16 to 1.61), particularly pedestrian safety (RR 1.55, 95%CI 1.19 to 2.03). 63% of intervention politicians reported supporting new pedestrian safety schemes. The majority found the advocacy information surprising, interesting, effectively presented, and could identify suitable local interventions. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the feasibility of an innovative approach to translational public health by targeting local politicians in a randomised controlled trial. The intervention package was positively viewed and raised interest but changes in interventions were not statistically significance. Longer term supported advocacy may be needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN91381117.

Language: en

%G en %I Public Library of Science %@ 1932-6203 %U http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0060158