title: Factors associated with the premature graduation of children into seatbelts.
abstract: This study investigated the factors associated with the premature graduation into seatbelts for Australian children aged 4-11 years. From 699 child restraint use questionnaires, 195 children were identified as meeting the booster seat height-weight criteria (height: 100-145 cm and weight: 14-26 kg). Of these children, 44% were correctly traveling in a booster seat, while 56% had been moved prematurely into a seatbelt. A multivariable logistic regression model showed that there were a number of key predictors associated with the premature graduation to seatbelts. For example, children who were moved prematurely into a seatbelt were more likely to be older, have other children travelling in the vehicle and have younger parents compared to children appropriately restrained in a booster seat. In addition, there was a significant interaction between vehicle type and parent's household income. Based on the findings of this study, a number of recommendations are made for strategies to enhance appropriate restraint use for this age group, as well as for future research.
authors.affiliation: Monash University Accident Research Centre, Building 70, Monash University, VIC 3800, Australia. Sjaanie.Koppel@muarc.monash.edu.au
authors.forename: Sjaanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Koppel
authors.forename: Judith L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Charlton
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fitzharris
authors.forename: Melinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Congiu
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fildes
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016487:Parenting; D012449:Safety; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors