Seatbelt use during pregnancy: a comparison of women in two prenatal care settings

• Published in: Maternal and child health journal 2005-06, Vol.9 (2), p.173-179
• Main Authors: Taylor, Allison J, McGwin, Jr, Gerald, Sharp, Charles E, Stone, Timothy L, Dyer-Smith, Jeffrey, Bindon, Michael J, Rue, 3rd, Loring W
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Ambulatory Care Facilities - organization & administration; Attitude to Health; Community Health Services - organization & administration; Female; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Motor vehicles; Oregon; Persuasive Communication; Pregnancy; Prenatal Care; Private Practice - organization & administration; Protective equipment; Public Sector; Seat belts; Seat Belts - utilization
• ISSN: 1092-7875; 1573-6628
• DOI: 10.1007/s10995-005-4906-2

This study examines knowledge of proper automobile restraint use during pregnancy and attitudes toward restraint use. This manuscript, the second in a series, compares knowledge and attitudes in two populations of pregnant women, those receiving prenatal care at several county clinics and those receiving care in a private practice. A survey requesting demographic information and frequency and knowledge of proper automobile restraint use was administered during prenatal visits. County clinic patients (n = 450, 70% black) were younger and less educated than private practice patients (n = 203, 75% non-Hispanic white). Fewer county patients (49%) always wore seatbelts prior to the pregnancy than private practice patients (88%). Correct use was reported by fewer county clinic patients (67%) than private practice patients (83%). Few (25-28%) in either setting reported receiving information on seatbelt use. Despite existing knowledge with respect to the consequences of seatbelt non-use in pregnant women, the proportion of women receiving information about correct seatbelt use during pregnancy appears to be low, regardless of care source.