Recorded presentation

David G. Schlundt, PhD¹, Carlotta Arthur, PhD², Stephania Miller, PhD², and Irwin Goldzweig, MA². (1) Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, 301 Wilson Hall, Nashville, TN 37203, (615) 322-7800, david.schlundt@vanderbilt.edu, (2) Center for Community-Based Research, Meharry Medical College, 1005 D.B. Todd Blvd., Nashville, TN 37208

Purpose: Transportation-related accidents are the leading cause of injury among 14-19 years old. We examined temporal changes among youth relative to three risk-reducing behaviors: seat belt, bicycle helmet, and motorcycle helmet use.

Methods: Data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey were obtained for alternative years between 1991-2001. Data were analyzed using binary logistic regression and analysis performed using SPSS version 11.5 (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL).

Results: Seat belt use was higher among 17 (p<0.02) and 18 (p<0.04) year olds, higher for females (p<0.0001), increased over time (P<0.0001), and lower among Black (p<0.0001), and Hispanics (p<0.0001). Ethnic differences, especially for females, had narrowed by 2001. Bike helmet use was significantly lower among 16 (p<0.02), 17 (p<0.01), and 18 (p<0.02) year olds, increased over time (p<0.0001), lower among males (p<0.02), and lower among Black (p<0.0001) and Hispanic (p<0.0001) youth. Less than 12% of youth wore a bike helmet at least some of the time in 2001. Rates of motor cycle helmet use were higher among older teens (p<0.001), lower among males (p<0.0001), higher after 1995 (p<0.001), and lower among Hispanics (p<0.0001). Over 30% of all youth motorcycle riders were at increased risk for head injury or death due to rare or nonuse of a helmet.

Conclusions: Future research is needed to delineate barriers to behavior change and intervention strategies with an emphasis on those that are gender and ethnic group specific.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe behaviors that place young people at risk for transportation-related injury and death.
• Identify changes that have occurred over time in use of seat belts, bike helmets, and motorcycle helmets among American youth.
• Discuss the importance of ethnic group differences in rates of each behavior.

Keywords: Youth, Safety

Related Web page: www.meharry.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation