The study described in this scientific poster estimated American state prevalences for injury prevention behaviours such as: the use of safety belts (always versus not always) and the frequency of drinking and driving among adults (at least one time in the last month) as well as the use of child safety seats, seat belts and bicycle helmets among children (always versus not always). The study was based on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), an annual cross-sectional survey of adults aged 18 years and older conducted monthly by state health departments. There were 112,004 adult respondents. The Healthy People 2000 Health Objectives for the Nation have specified goals for increasing the use of safety belts among adults (85%), child occupant restraint use (85%), and bicycle helmet use (50%), and the reduction of drinking and driving. Many states still fall short of the goals for the year 2000. Certain states had consistently poor quartile rankings, raising the question of whether injury risk taking behaviours cluster and whether these states should launch more concerted safety efforts. Seven states were in the bottom quartile for both adult safety belt use and child restraint use. States with behaviour relevant laws appeared to have the highest level of associated safety practices for impaired driving, occupant restraint use, and bicycle helmet use.
Samenvatting