Factors behind not using child restrain（t） among hospital employees and general population：A case control study

摘要

BACKGROUND： Motor vehicle crash （MVC） related injury has been identifi ed as a major publichealth concern. Child restrain （CR） seat belts can minimize the mortality and morbidity from MVC.The use for seat belts is substantially low in developing countries like Pakistan even though its usehas been shown to decrease morbidity and mortality by a signifi cant extent.METHODS： This was a case control study with cases from the general population （GP） andcontrols from the Aga Khan University （AKU） employees in a 3：1 ratio. The study questionnaire wasbased on parameters like gender, education level, awareness and presence of CR and also assessedthe frequency of usage, reasons for not using CR and the source of knowledge regarding CR use.RESULTS： Out of 848 respondents, 212 were from AKU and 636 were from the GP. 96.7% fromAKU had at least a bachelor＇s degree while less than half （42.6%） of those from the GP were graduateor above （P〈0.001）. A statistically signifi cant difference was found between the two groups with driversfrom AKU being generally more aware about CR and its use. 81.1% of the group from AKU comparedto 59.7% from the general population were found to be aware of child restraint use （P〈0.001）. Media（40.6%） was found to be the most common source of information amongst the AKU employees.CONCLUSION： Most motor vehicle related injuries in children can be prevented or theirseverity may be reduced by the use of appropriate child restraint seat belts.