title: Seatbelt use and seat preference among pregnant women in Sapporo, Japan, in 2013.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was performed to determine the rate of pregnant occupants in motor vehicle accidents (MVA) and the frequency of seatbelt use in pregnancy in Japan.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire survey was conducted at seven centers located in Sapporo, targeting all 3952 women in gestational weeks 35-37 during the study period between June 2013 and January 2014. Information was collected on parity, driver's license, seatbelt use, seat preference, carrying Mother and Child Health Handbook when going out, and experience of occupant MVA during current pregnancy. Women who reported always using a seatbelt were classified as always seatbelt users (ASU).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 2420 women who were given questionnaires provided responses (response rate, 61%). Seventy women (2.9%) reported having experienced an occupant MVA during the current pregnancy. MVA rate was significantly lower for ASU than non-ASU (2.6% [55/2097] vs 4.6% [15/323], respectively, P < 0.0001), and for ASU women preferring the rear seat than for other women (1.3% [6/451] vs 3.3% [64/1969], respectively, P = 0.0282). MVA rate tended to be lower for women preferring the rear seat than the front seat (1.7% [10/575] vs 3.3% [60/1845], respectively, P = 0.0637). The number of ASU, 94% (2286/2420) before pregnancy, decreased significantly to 87% (2097/2420) after the current pregnancy (P < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The careful attitude of pregnant women toward driving safety may be associated with reduced risk of MVA in pregnancy. There is a need for an intensified campaign to promote seatbelt use among pregnant women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Mamoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morikawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, JCHO Hokkaido Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sapporo City General Hokkaido Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Emi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kato-Hirayama
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NTT East Sapporo General Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nishikawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tenshi General Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Michiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Watari
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sapporo Toho Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Nobuhiko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maeda
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sapporo Maternity Women's Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiromasa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kogo
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hisanori
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Minakami
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001334:Automobile Driving; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D012449:Safety; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: accident prevention; motor vehicles; pregnant women; seatbelts; traffic accidents