Measuring the effectiveness of a car seat program in an urban, level one pediatric trauma center

Ross Budziszewski,Rochelle Thompson,L Grier Arthur,Loreen K Meyer,Thomas Lucido,Janelle Walker,Harsh Grewal

doi:10.1186/s40621-021-00313-1

Ross Budziszewski, Rochelle Thompson + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40621-021-00313-1

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Abstract

BackgroundMotor vehicle collisions (MVCs) are a significant safety issue in the United States. Young children are disproportionally impacted by car accidents and suffer high rates of injuries and mortality. When used properly, car seats have been found to reduce the severity of injuries. However, individuals from low-income areas often do not have access to education or car seats compared to those in suburban or higher income areas. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to measure the effectiveness of a car seat program in an urban, Level I Pediatric Trauma Center on caregiver car seat knowledge.MethodsCaregivers (N = 200) attended a single, one-hour car seat educational program with a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST). The sessions included educational and hands-on components, where caregivers were asked to complete a seven-item pre-post knowledge assessment. For completion of the course, caregivers received a car seat for their child.ResultsA paired t-test revealed that the workshop significantly increased caregiver knowledge from pre-post: t (199) = − 12.56, p < .001; d = 1.27. McNemar’s Chi-Square analyses displayed that caregivers increased in all knowledge categories (p < .001).ConclusionsWhile caregivers in urban areas or in low-income areas may have less access to resources, hospital-led car seat courses can increase knowledge of proper car seat usage in these communities. These findings should be used to establish programs in hospitals in areas where these resources are not readily available to caregivers.

Highlights

Motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) are a significant safety issue in the United States
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that approximately 3, 000,000 non-fatal injuries were related to MVCs in 2019 (The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2020)
Young children are disproportionately impacted by MVCs compared to the general population

Summary

Introduction

Motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) are a significant safety issue in the United States. Young children are disproportionally impacted by car accidents and suffer high rates of injuries and mortality. Young children are disproportionately impacted by MVCs compared to the general population. Over the past two decades, there has been a substantial decline in reported child fatalities from MVCs (Lee et al 2018; Singh et al 2016). The decline in child fatalities can be credited to increasing passenger safety technology, developing legislation to keep children safe, and increasing safety interventions (Ma et al 2013; Pressley et al 2009). Implementing laws that require the use of child car restraints has decreased injuries and deaths related to MVCs (Henary et al 2007). While legislation has made car seats required, caregivers must still possess knowledge of proper installation and guidelines to ensure that their child is safe

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