Child passenger safety behaviors in Latino communities.
Booster seats protect child occupants between 4 and 8 years of age. The objective of this study was to determine barriers and facilitators for booster seat use among Latino families. We conducted one-to-one elicitation interviews with 56 mothers and 35 fathers of booster-eligible Latino children in an urban county and a rural county in Washington State. Half of the parents did not consistently use booster seats. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, translated, and coded. Statements expressed by at least one-third of respondents were entered into explanatory models. Motivators for booster use were child safety and concern about getting a ticket. Facilitators for booster use included affordability, ease of use, and children liking the seat. Barriers were the belief that the child was too big/old, perceived child resistance, and cost. Rural parents preferred radio to television messages. Campaign messages highlighting the risks to child safety and the risk of a citation are likely to motivate booster seat use among Latino families.
Ebel
Beth E
BE
Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, University of Washington, USA. bebel@u.washington.edu
Coronado
Gloria D
GD
Thompson
Beti
B
Martinez
Teri
T
Fitzgerald
Katharine
K
Vaca
Frederico
F
Rivara
Frederick P
FP
D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D015370:Infant Equipment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D012449:Safety / Q000592:standards*; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014861:Washington