Date of Award

11-9-2009

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Department

Public Health

First Advisor

Amanda Walpole - Committee Member

Second Advisor

Dr. Sheryl Strasser - Committee Member

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The leading cause of injury and death among children in the United States is motor vehicle crashes. Even though laws have been amended and public awareness campaigns and education has increased, many children are still improperly restrained or not restrained at all. When correctly used, child restraints significantly reduce risk of injury or death in a motor vehicle crash. AIM: The purpose of the questions is to exhibit the baseline knowledge of participants before receiving car seat education from certified technicians. METHODS: Over an eight week period, Safe Kids Cobb County Car Seat Technicians distributed a 16-item survey, with 10 knowledge-based questions and 6 demographic questions to Inspection Station participants. Descriptive statistics were run and t-tests were calculated to determine if participant age, ethnicity, and gender were associated with overall knowledge scores. A simple linear regression test was run to determine the association between participant education level and total car seat safety knowledge. RESULTS: One-hundred and sixty nine surveys were completed. Participant knowledge of car seat safety ranged from 0% to 90% on all ten items. No significant correlation between participant knowledge and age was found. The relationship between total knowledge and education level was found to be slightly significant. However, ethnicity and gender were found to be significantly associated with total knowledge scores. DISCUSSION: The results from this study describe baseline knowledge among a sample of participants at Safe Inspection Station activities held in Cobb County, Georgia. These results can help inform tailoring of future programming so that the impact of enhanced health education / prevention messages for intended populations can be maximized.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.57709/1349560

Download

Included in

Public Health Commons

Share

COinS