Julie R. Bromberg, MPH, Michael J. Mello, MD, MPH, Ted Nirenberg, PhD, and Sandra P. DelSesto, MEd, CPSS. Injury Prevention Center, Rhode Island Hospital, 110 Lockwood Street, Suite 334, Providence, RI 02903, 401-444-8403, jbromberg@lifespan.org

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION

Minority populations have a lower safety belt usage rate compared to the general population and therefore are over represented with incurring injuries in motor vehicle crashes. To reduce the disproportionate number of deaths and injuries among minorities, churches can be targeted as a point of entry for traffic safety programs. Prior studies indicate that the church can be a conduit to inform minorities about preventative health care.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of Buckle Up Faithfully was to increase the safety belt use by 20% among 14 African American religious congregations in Providence.

DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENATION

A strong working group consisting of minority church leaders was essential to the program. This group was involved in all aspects of program development and implementation to assure cultural appropriateness.

Recruited church leaders were educated about traffic safety and encouraged to disseminate such messages to their congregations. Activities including traffic safety sermons, victim testimonials and blessings of drivers and passengers were recommended as ways to link traffic safety messages with spiritual messages.

EVALUATION

Pre- and post-observations of safety belt usage for drivers and front seat passengers were conducted at participating churches. Church leaders were also surveyed to determine each church’s participation level.

RESULTS

Safety belt usage increased among drivers and front seat passengers from all participating churches. A 24% increase in safety belt usage was observed among all observed drivers and a 17% increase among all observed front seat passengers.

CONCLUSION

Partnering with churches can be an effective method for delivering injury prevention messages.

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