An observational study of seatbelt use among vehicle occupants in Nigeria.
OBJECTIVE
The use of seatbelts reduces the likelihood of death and severe injuries to crash-involved vehicle occupants by 45-60%. Several countries, including Nigeria, have laws mandating the use of seatbelts but compliance is not universal. This study was conducted to determine rates of use of seatbelts among vehicle occupants in Ibadan municipality.


METHODS
An observational study was conducted. A selected petrol station in each of the five local government areas in Ibadan municipality was used as an observation site. Observations were documented by trained research staff between 08:30 and 18:00 hours over a 6-day period.


RESULTS
5757 occupants in 2870 vehicles were observed. Approximately 90% of drivers were men. Driver seatbelts were installed in approximately 90% of vehicles. Overall seatbelt use was 18.7; 31.7% among drivers and 10.3% and 0.4% among front and rear-seated adults, respectively. Only one child (0.7%) was restrained. Significantly more female drivers 47.3% used their seatbelts compared with men, 30.3% (p<0.001). An adult passenger was more likely to be restrained when riding with a female driver (p=0.007) and when the driver was restrained (p=0.000).


CONCLUSIONS
The study showed that seatbelt use among vehicle occupants was low. Further research into reasons for the non-use of restraints needs to be conducted so that these can be incorporated into programmes aimed at improving seatbelt use.
Sangowawa
Adesola O
AO
Institute of Child Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. daisyolu@yahoo.co.uk
Alagh
Ben T
BT
Ekanem
Simeon E U
SE
Ebong
Idang P
IP
Faseru
Babalola
B
Adekunle
Babatunde J
BJ
Uchendu
Obioma C
OC
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001336:Automobiles / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*