Community based booster seat promotion programs: baseline results of a direct observation survey

Abstract

This study reports the results of a baseline survey of restraint use by 4 to 8 year old children in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Sturgis, and Coldwater, Michigan. The study, conducted between June 19 and July 1, 2005, focused on low income areas of Grand Rapids and the Hispanic population of Sturgis. Two control cities were chosen to observe booster seat use in cities similar to the experimental cities. Kalamazoo was the control city for Grand Rapids, and Coldwater was the control city for Sturgis. A follow-up survey to be conducted next year will provide comparison data and will be discussed in a separate report. Together, these survey waves will provide an assessment of the booster seat promotion programs implemented in Grand Rapids and Sturgis, Michigan. In this study, 4 to 8 year old children were observed traveling in passenger cars, vans/minivans, sport-utility vehicles, and pickup trucks. Each city was analyzed separately to obtain a booster seat use rate for each sample area. Booster seat use rates were: Grand Rapids 19.0 ± 10.3 percent, Kalamazoo 9.7 ± 11.3 percent, Sturgis 9.7 ± 5.0 percent, and Coldwater 18.2 ± 5.2 percent.