A comparison of self-report and direct observation of booster seat use in Latino families.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a reliable self-report tool for measuring child booster seat use among Latino families.


METHODS
Cross-sectional and observational survey of a convenience sample.


METHODS
Five retail stores in King County, Washington.


METHODS
50 parents of children 4-8 years old that self-identified as Latino or Hispanic.


METHODS
Parent-reported measures of how often the child uses a booster seat, if the child used a booster seat on the last trip, how often the child complains about using a booster seat, how often the child asks to not use a booster seat, and how often other families they know use a booster seat.


METHODS
Observed booster seat use by child.


RESULTS
26 children (52%) were observed using a booster seat. Parent-reported booster seat use was a poor predictor of observed booster seat use. Although 34 parents reported that their child 'always' uses a booster seat, 8 (24%) of these children were not using a booster seat. A logistic model to predict booster seat use had a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 71%, and misclassified 24% of the participants' observed use.


CONCLUSIONS
Reliance on parent-reported booster seat use significantly overstated observed booster seat use in the study. Among this study population, accurate determination of booster seat use required direct observation.
Quistberg
D Alex
DA
Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA.
Lozano
Paula
P
Mack
Christopher D
CD
Schwartz
Rachel
R
Ebel
Beth E
BE
D002648:Child; D057207:Child Restraint Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014861:Washington