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

Abstract #121852

Hulya Sirin, MD¹, Harold Weiss, PhD, MPH², Kari Dunning, PhD³, and Erin Sauber, MPH². (1) Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Gazi University, 5520 Ffith Ave., Apt. D6, Pittsburgh, PA 15232, (2) Center for Injury Research and Control, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop St, Suite B400, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, 412-367-0342, hw@injurycontrol.com, (3) Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, P.O. Box 670056, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0056

Objectives: Motor-vehicle injuries are the leading cause of death and hospitalized trauma during pregnancy. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of seatbelt counseling during pregnancy, seatbelt use rates during the last trimester, the relationship of counseling to seatbelt use, and the incidence of motor-vehicle injury during pregnancy.

Methods: Self-reported 22 state data from CDC's 2001 National Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) were used. Population estimates were computed using SPSS' Complex Sample Module from weighted counts.

Results: Self-reported medical provider counseling for seatbelt use ranged from 38.2% (Arkansas) to 58.8% (Washington) (mean=48.7%). Women who were most likely to report being counseled were <20 years old, non-Hispanic black, and less educated. Women who were younger, Hispanic white and less educated were least likely to report wearing seatbelts in the last trimester (Maryland/Vermont only). The prevalence of being hurt in a “car accident” ranged from 1.2% (Alabama) to 4.7% (Maryland) (mean= 2.3%). Women most likely to report being hurt in a crash during pregnancy were younger (<20) (3.0%), non-Hispanic black (3.9%), and less educated (3.2%).

Discussion: Based on PRAMS, it is estimated that about 92,000 pregnant women are hurt annually in motor-vehicle crashes. Despite this risk and the proven efficacy of restraint use, most pregnant women are not counseled about seatbelt use. Limitations of PRAMS methodology makes it difficult to determine the association of pre-natal counseling with seatbelt use in most states.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Recognize the potential and the limitations of state-based injury data in the widely available Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS).
• Understand and describe the prevalence of seatbelt counseling by health care providers during pregnancy and how the reported use of such counseling varies among different demographic populations of interest.
• Approach the issue of the relationship of seatbelt use counseling to seatbelt use.
• Identify the incidence and importance of motor-vehicle injury during pregnancy so that it may be prioritized alongside other health and safety risks to the mother and fetus during pregnancy.

Keywords: Prenatal Care, Motor Vehicles

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation