Seatbelt use during pregnancy: a comparison of women in two prenatal care settings.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines knowledge of proper automobile restraint use during pregnancy and attitudes toward restraint use. This manuscript, the second in a series, compares knowledge and attitudes in two populations of pregnant women, those receiving prenatal care at several county clinics and those receiving care in a private practice.


METHODS
A survey requesting demographic information and frequency and knowledge of proper automobile restraint use was administered during prenatal visits.


RESULTS
County clinic patients (n = 450, 70% black) were younger and less educated than private practice patients (n = 203, 75% non-Hispanic white). Fewer county patients (49%) always wore seatbelts prior to the pregnancy than private practice patients (88%). Correct use was reported by fewer county clinic patients (67%) than private practice patients (83%). Few (25-28%) in either setting reported receiving information on seatbelt use.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite existing knowledge with respect to the consequences of seatbelt non-use in pregnant women, the proportion of women receiving information about correct seatbelt use during pregnancy appears to be low, regardless of care source.
Taylor
Allison J
AJ
Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL, USA.
McGwin
Gerald
G
Sharp
Charles E
CE
Stone
Timothy L
TL
Dyer-Smith
Jeffrey
J
Bindon
Michael J
MJ
Rue
Loring W
LW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009922:Oregon; D010565:Persuasive Communication; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care; D011331:Private Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017150:Public Sector; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*