Effectiveness of feedback and education in an employment based seat belt program

Abstract

A 6 week employment based seat belt program, without incentives, was evaluated to determine if it would increase the seat belt use of employees in an area with seat belt legislation. The program included obtrusive seat belt use monitoring, a feedback sign, an educational presentation, displays, and supportive memos from management. Seat belt use observations were made on a daily basis at the program site and at a control site for a 3 week baseline period, during the program, and at 2 week intervals for 6 weeks following the conclusion of the program. Analysis of the seat belt data indicated that a statistically reliable increase in the seat belt use of drivers and passengers occurred as a result of the program. Belt use for drivers increased from 65 to 82%, and for passengers from 46 to 76%. A decline in belt use was observed during the follow-up period, but it remained higher than during the baseline period. Results from questionnaires distributed to employees before and after the program indicated that attitudes towards seat belts changed very little. The results demonstrated that a seat belt program, conducted in the work place without incentives, can significantly increase seat belt use. Implications of the findings for future research are discussed.(A)