Evaluation of Safe Kids Week 2004: age 4 to 9? It's booster seat time!
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effectiveness of a national one week media campaign promoting booster seat use.


METHODS
Pre-test, post-test design based on nationally representative random digit dialing telephone survey, with control for exposure to campaign.


METHODS
Canada.


METHODS
Parents of children aged 4-9 years.


METHODS
During a one week campaign in May 2004, information on booster seat use was distributed via a national media campaign, retail stores, medical clinics, and community events. Information included pamphlets with guidelines for booster seat use, as well as a growth chart (designed by Safe Kids Canada) to assist parents in determining if their child should be using a booster seat. Assessing seat belt fit was described in detail on the growth chart.


METHODS
Knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported behaviors regarding booster seat use.


RESULTS
Respondents in the group exposed to the campaign were twice as likely to report using a booster seat with lap and shoulder belt for their child (47%), compared to those in the pre-test (24%) and the unexposed (23%) groups (p<0.001). However, only small differences in general knowledge regarding booster seat use were found between the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
A one week national media campaign substantially increased self-reported use of booster seats. Parents did not remember details of the campaign content, but did remember implications for their own child.
Howard
A
A
Population Health Sciences, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. andrew.howard@sickkids.ca
Beben
N
N
Rothman
L
L
Fiissel
D
D
MacArthur
C
C
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001336:Automobiles; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004867:Equipment Design; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education / Q000592:standards*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D015370:Infant Equipment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011482:Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012449:Safety