Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #102917

Katherine J. Smith, MSW, Violence & Injury Prevention Program, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, 114 Woodland ST, Suite 1019 Gengras, Hartford, CT 06105, 860.714.4807, ksmith@stfranciscare.org

Motor vehicle crashes result in greater than 274,000 injuries per year and cost more than 1,800 children under the age of 14, their lives each year. This makes motor vehicle crashes the leading cause of unintentional injury-related deaths among children. However, one of the biggest resources in prevention efforts, pediatricians, are currently under-informed and underutilized. Child passenger safety seats (CPSS) and seatbelts effectively save lives and prevent injuries when used correctly and consistently. Unfortunately they are difficult to use and complicated to install, even for the most well-intentioned parent. In fact, 90% of car seats are installed incorrectly, and 30% of children continue to ride completely unrestrained.

Pediatric providers may effectively address this lack of knowledge regarding CPSS through the process of anticipatory guidance. Anticipatory guidance has been shown to have a positive impact on behaviors, and the ongoing provider-parent relationship makes this brief intervention an efficient use of resources. This study was initiated to gather data on pediatricians' knowledge of child passenger safety recommendations, state and AAP policy, anticipatory guidance practices, and provider opinions on barriers to proper use.

This abstract will review pediatrician's knowledge regarding CPSS, the accuracy of this knowledge, and anticipatory guidance practices. It also provides insight into what providers perceive as barriers patients have to proper use. The presentation of this abstract reviews the mechanism of injuries in crashes, reviews the AAP policy recommendations regarding child passenger safety, and provides pediatricians and public health educators concrete recommendations on instructing parents regarding CPSS.

Learning Objectives: