A School-Hospital Partnership Increases Knowledge of Pedestrian and Motor Vehicle Safety.
Pedestrian and motor vehicle-related injuries are leading causes of morbidity and mortality in children. Trauma centers have specialized resources to conduct interventions that improve the safety of whole communities. In the present study, we evaluated the effectiveness of a school-hospital partnership in increasing knowledge of pedestrian and motor vehicle safety among students and parents in a large, urban community. Staff from a Level I pediatric trauma center conducted educational interventions in an urban public school district. Elementary school students participated in a pedestrian safety program, middle school students completed a community safety program, and high school students learned about the dangers of drunk and distracted driving. Students completed pre- and post-tests. Parents in the neighboring community received child passenger safety education at two child restraint (CR) inspection events. A total of 2203 students participated at a total of nine schools. Post-test scores were significantly higher than pre-test scores for students in all three age groups and within each grade level. At CR inspection events, 67 CRs were inspected, 49 (73 %) of which were replaced with new age- and weight- appropriate CRs. The most common instance of improper CR use was loose CR fit in vehicle seat (33 %). All 120 observed instances of misuse were corrected by a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. Educational interventions effectively increased knowledge of pedestrian and motor vehicle safety among students and parents. We have demonstrated the utility of a school-hospital partnership for furthering knowledge of safety in an urban community.
Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Boulevard, Mailstop #100, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA.
Shelby L
SL
Bachman
Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Boulevard, Mailstop #100, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA.
Helen
H
Arbogast
Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Boulevard, Mailstop #100, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA.
Pearl
P
Ruiz
Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Boulevard, Mailstop #100, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA.
Mina
M
Farag
Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Boulevard, Mailstop #100, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA.
Natalie E
NE
Demeter
Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Boulevard, Mailstop #100, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA.|Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA.
Jeffrey S
JS
Upperman
Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, 4650 Sunset Boulevard, Mailstop #100, Los Angeles, CA, 90027, USA. riburke@chla.usc.edu.|Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089, USA. riburke@chla.usc.edu.
Rita V
RV
Burke
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D057207:Child Restraint Systems; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000066448:Driving Under the Influence / Q000517:prevention & control; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D015141:Los Angeles; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D000069636:Pedestrians; D012574:Schools / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013334:Students; D014193:Trauma Centers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014505:Urban Population
Child restraint; Distracted driving; Education; Motor vehicle safety; Pedestrian safety