 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Paula B Willey, MPH1, Amy W Wear1, Connie L. Kohler, DrPH2, Gerald McGwin, PhD3, and Loring W Rue, MD3. (1) Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1530 3rd Avenue South, RPHB 227, Birmingham, AL 35294-0022, 205-934-8962, pwilley@uab.edu, (2) Department of Health Behavior School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, RPHB 227, 1530 3rd Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35294-0022, (3) Center for Injury Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1530 3rd Avenue South, KB 120, Birmingham, AL 35294-0016
Data show that women receiving information about proper seatbelt use during pregnancy from their health care providers are more likely to comply with recommended guidelines for restraint usage, however, few women report actually having received information. Consequently, pregnant women are uninformed and have misconceptions about seatbelt use, often resulting in improper seatbelt usage. An educational intervention was implemented within local county health department pre-natal clinics in 6 sites. The intervention encouraged maternity staff to conduct seatbelt education during pre-natal visits and to distribute a brochure that summarized key points about the importance of seatbelts and instructions for proper seatbelt use. The study design utilized a repeated cross-sectional survey, the primary outcome being the patients’ response to a question asking if they had received information about seatbelt use during pregnancy. We also examined changes in patients’ knowledge and attitudes resulting from receiving the information. In the cohort surveyed prior to intervention, 25.2% pregnant women reported receiving information regarding seatbelt use as compared to 76.8% post-intervention (p<0.001). Perceptions of the positive effects of seatbelts upon pregnant women and upon their babies increased (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively). In addition, an increase was shown in reported correct placement of lap and shoulder belts from 70.8% to 83.0% (p<0.001). Providing coordinated materials to maternity health workers increased the frequency with which they discussed seatbelt use with patients. This simple seatbelt education is an effective means of increasing knowledge and perceptions of the positive effects of seatbelts among pregnant patients, thus increasing correct placement of seatbelts.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.