Child safety seats underwent an initial checkpoint evaluation and participants received a training session. Participants were asked to return within 6-12 months to a checkpoint for follow-up evaluation. During each visit,a data collection sheet was used to assess the participants' use of theirchild safety seat, and to subsequently calculate a restraint misuse scoreto characterize the child safety seat's usage before and after the intervention. During the period of study, 42 participants underwent both the initial and follow-up child safety seat check. Before the intervention, at least one misuse was identified in 100% of installed child safety seats. After the intervention, there was a significant reduction in the proportion of rear-facing child safety seats (18.8%) and forward-facing child safety seats (64.0%) that had at least one misuse (p < 0.001). Almost all (93.4%) of those using rear-facing child safety seats and the majority (64.0%) of those using forward-facing child safety seats improved their safety score as measured after the intervention. Although misuse was universally observed, child safety seat checkpoint events were successful in improving usagepractices. (A) Reprinted with permission from Elsevier.
Samenvatting