158303 Walk a mile in their shoes: Results from a focus group research study to determine pedestrian related behavioral and environmental risk factors among high risk child pedestrians

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Moira P. Donahue, MBA , Walk This Way Program, Safe Kids Worldwide, Washington, DC
Tasha P. Toby, MPH , Walk This Way Program, Safe Kids Worldwide, Washington, DC
Aliya Quraishi, MPH , Program Dept., Safe Kids Worldwide, Washington, DC
Jacqueline Dukehart, MSc PH , Safe Kids Worldwide, Washington, DC
Robin Wilcox , Program Dept., Safe Kids Worldwide, Washington, DC
Safe Kids Alameda County , EMS, Alameda County Public Health Department, San Leandro, CA
Safe Kids Chicagoland , Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL
Safe Kids Dallas Area , Children's Medical Center of Dallas, Dallas, TX
Safe Kids Mid-South , Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center, Memphis, TN
Safe Kids New York City , NYC Department of Transportation, New York, NY
Safe Kids Oklahoma State , Oklahoma State Department of Health, Oklahoma City, OK
Safe Kids Orange County , Children's Safety Village of Central Florida, Inc., Orlando, FL
Safe Kids St. Louis , Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, St. Louis, MO
Safe Kids Southeast Wisconsin , Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Safe Kids Tampa , St Joseph Children's Hospital of Tampa, Tampa, FL
Purpose: To determine pedestrian-related behavioral and environmental risk factors among African-American males that may contribute to their disproportionately high incidence of child pedestrian death and injury. To determine protective factors for children at low risk for pedestrian-related death and injury.

Methods: Safe Kids coalitions conducted focus groups with four target populations: 1) African-American males, ages 6-14, low-income areas, high population density (high-risk group); 2) parents/caregivers of group one; 3) Caucasian females, ages 6-14, moderate- to high-income areas, lower population density (low-risk group); and 4) parents/caregivers of group three. Self-administered surveys gathered basic demographic information, perceptions of neighborhood safety, attitudes and behavior of child pedestrians.

Results: Findings suggest that a high prevalence of crime in neighborhoods with high-risk males has a negative effect on their pedestrian safety behavior and their parents/caregivers' view of pedestrian-related injury as a serious issue. In terms of pedestrian safety behavior, the poor practice of mid-block crossing is practiced by children in both risk groups. Parents from both groups are concerned about child abductions and teach children to avoid strangers, diluting pedestrian safety teachings. In terms of environmental pedestrian safety measures, all parent and child groups report inconsistencies in traffic calming/regulating devices in residential settings. Findings will be used to guide messaging for the Safe Kids Walk This Way pedestrian safety program.

Conclusions: Childhood injury prevention programs should address the impact of crime, lack of pedestrian safety resources and traffic enforcement on child pedestrian behavior in high-risk communities.

Learning Objectives:
Describe risk factors that influence the likelihood of pedestrian-related death and injury for high-risk child pedestrians. Apply research techniques to developing childhood injury prevention messages tailored to high-risk child pedestrians and their parents/caregivers.

Keywords: Injury Prevention, Children

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.