Neonatal Med.  2014 Aug;21(3):186-191.

Effects of Pre-discharge Education for the Correct Use of Child Occupant Restraints

• Kim YD

Abstract

PURPOSE
To determine the effects of pre-discharge education for the correct use of child occupant restraints (CORs).
METHODS
Between January and August 2012, education for the correct use of CORs was provided to parents at the time of discharge of their newborns from our neonatal intensive care unit. A cross-sectional survey using self-report questionnaires or telephone interviews was conducted when the children were 6 to 12 months of age, and the acquired data were compared with data from a control group.
RESULTS
The overall percentage of children using CORs was 73.4% for the COR educated group and 69.9% for the control group. However, the percentage of children who correctly used CORs was 42.2% for COR educated group and 44.3% for the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in parental awareness and perception of the correct use of CORs between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
The correct use rate of CORs in our community is still low, and no difference in the correct use of CORs was observed between parents who were educated before discharge of their newborns and those who were not. Therefore, an alternative strategy, such as a strong enforcement program, is needed to increase the correct use of CORs.

Keyword

Child occupant restraint; Child safety seat; Car seat law; Education

MeSH Terms

Child Restraint Systems
Child*
Cross-Sectional Studies
Education*
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Intensive Care, Neonatal
Interviews as Topic
Parents
Surveys and Questionnaires