title: Correct use of safety belts and child restraint devices in cars among children in Goiânia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to conduct an observational study, by means of campaigns, regarding the use of child restraint devices in cars in Goiânia.
  
  
  METHODS
  this was a cross-sectional study using a convenience sample built up as cases arose. The data were gathered into an Excel spreadsheet and were analyzed descriptively and statistically (SPSS 16.0), using chi-square and taking p < 0.05 as significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  in 2006, 410 cars were evaluated, and in 2010, 544 cars were evaluated. Around 85% of the occupants were using seat belts correctly at both times (p = 0.650). In 2006, it was observed that a total of 273 passengers were occupying the rear seats, while in 2010 there were 226. Among these, 178 and 170 were using seat belts, respectively, i.e. 65.2% and 75.22% (p = 0.001). In 2006, five children were occupying the front seat without using the seat belt, while in 2010, this number was 42 (p < 0.001). In 2010, it was observed that 458 vehicles were transporting children on the rear seats, and this was being done correctly in 214 vehicles, i.e. 46.72%. In 2006, of the 410 vehicles analyzed, only 90 of them (21.95%) were transporting children correctly (p < 0.001). In addition, there was a difference in the variables within the year evaluated, in which transportation done correctly in the front seat was much more frequent than transportation done correctly in the rear seats, in both years (p < 0.001). Cars transported one to four children, while vans transported one to nine children. In 2006, one van transporting children irregularly was observed, while in 2010 it was done correctly in all cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  comparing these two years (2006 and 2010) in which data were gathered, we can conclude that changes in behavior among drivers in Goiânia have begun, with regard to safety when transporting children in vehicles, with an improvement of 25% (p < 0.001). A large part of this has come through changes in knowledge among this segment of the population, through campaigns that have been carried out, including through the media, and because of legal obligations.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
authors.forename: Roberto Medeiros
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: de Sousa
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Felisbino Júnior
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
authors.forename: Felipe de Moura
authors.initials: Fde M
authors.lastname: Braga
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sílvio Dias
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: da Costa Neto
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
authors.forename: Felipe Marques
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Belo
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sandro da Silva
authors.initials: Sda S
authors.lastname: Reginaldo
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
authors.forename: Frederico Barra
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: de Moraes
keywords: Accident prevention; Child protection systems; Children; Physical restraint; Traffic accidents