Child passenger safety educational materials in the United States: Content, availability, accuracy, and appropriateness

The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

4138.0: Tuesday, November 12, 2002 - Board 6

Abstract #40146

Julie B. Ross, MPH, Susan S. Gallagher, MPH, Jeannette Hudson, MLS, MEd, and Chris Miara, MS. Education Development Center, Inc., 55 Chapel Street, Newton, MA 02458

Background:

From 1994-1998, 5,500 US child passengers aged 0-12 were killed and 600,000 non-fatally injured in traffic crashes. Education is essential to ensure that adult drivers understand aspects of CPS. Educational materials must be up-to-date, provide accurate technical information and meet cultural, linguistic and other needs of diverse consumers at particular risk.

Methods:

CPS materials (e.g., brochures, fact sheets, curricula, activity books, videos) were solicited from 210 organizations and their affiliates through email, telephone, electronic mailing lists and newsletters. Materials were catalogued in a searchable database by topic, age group, intended audience and dissemination plan. 10% of materials were evaluated for technical accuracy (9 criteria); cultural competence (3 criteria); and appropriateness for low-income audiences (4 criteria), low-literacy audiences (8 criteria) and CSHCN (13 criteria). The evaluation tool utlized NHTSA and CPSC recommendations, SMOG scale, and scientific literature.

Results:

Of 370 materials collected, 25% were available in Spanish and less than 10% in other languages. 26% were reportedly developed for low-literacy and 24% for low-income audiences. Only 30% of materials had been evaluated (process, formative, impact or outcome). 61% of materials evaluated by project staff were technically accurate, but incomplete.

Conclusion:

Material developers need to ensure that materials are up-to-date, and include information for low-literacy, low-income and culturally diverse audiences. Materials written, on average, at the tenth grade level, are higher than the average adult can understand. Materials do not contain information for low-literacy audiences. Guidelines for creating culturally-competent materials are needed. To improve timeliness, similar projects should consider web-based products.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

Articulate the research methodology of the study.
List the 6 most common topic areas addressed by existing child passenger safety (CPS) educational materials.
Identify methods used by producers to disseminate educational materials.
Describe the technical accuracy of existing CPS educational materials.
Discuss the appropriateness of existing CPS educational materials for diverse lay audiences including different cultural groups, non-English speakers, low-literacy audiences, low-income audiences, and caregivers of children with special health care needs.
Discuss limitations of existing CPS educational materials and list 6 ways in which the content, availability and appropriateness of educational materials for lay audiences may be improved.
List 6 important factors for public health professionals to consider when developing educational materials for lay audiences, and especially diverse audiences.

Keywords: Public Health Education, Motor Vehicles

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety; Education Development Center, Inc.
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship:

Motor Vehicle and Transportation Injury Posters

The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA