title: Seatbelt and child-restraint use in Kazakhstan: attitudes and behaviours of medical university students.
abstract: Traffic fatalities in Kazakhstan increased from 15 to more than 30 per 100 000 between 2001 and 2006. Mortality remains high compared with developed nations. Safety-restraint laws have been enacted, but little data exist regarding usage of seatbelts, particularly among children and passengers. This cross-sectional study surveyed medical university students about attitudes and behaviours regarding seatbelt and child safety-restraint usage. Seatbelts are widely used in the front seat (81%) but not in the back seat (79% 'never' or 'rarely' use a seatbelt in the back seat). Fewer than half reported 'always' or 'almost always' providing restraint for children under 7 years and 24% reported children secure the seatbelts themselves. Safety in the back seat merits attention. Adults generally do not buckle in the back seat despite a law requiring seatbelt use. Promotion of child safety restraints should be prioritised in prevention education for physicians and the community.
authors: Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
authors: Zhamilya S
authors: ZS
authors: Nugmanova
authors: Kazakhstan School of Public Health, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
authors: Gainel
authors: G
authors: Ussatayeva
authors: Institute for Health and the Environment, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, New York, USA.
authors: Louise-Anne
authors: LA
authors: McNutt
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D002648:Child; D057207:Child Restraint Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007623:Kazakhstan; D008297:Male; D012449:Safety; D012577:Schools, Medical; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult