Safety Belt Use Among Emergency Department Patients in Boston
Author Information
Author(s): William G. Fernandez, Supriya D. Mehta, Tara Coles, James A. Feldman, Patricia Mitchell, Jonathan Olshaker
Primary Institution: Boston University School of Medicine
Hypothesis
What factors are associated with safety belt non-use among emergency department patients in Boston?
Conclusion
Emergency department patients in Boston report significantly lower safety belt use compared to state and national averages.
Supporting Evidence
- Only 51% of participants reported always wearing a seat belt according to a single-item measure.
- Using a multiple-item measure, only 36% reported always wearing a seat belt.
- Factors associated with non-use included male gender, alcohol consumption, and previous citations for not wearing a seat belt.
Takeaway
Many people in the emergency room don't wear their seat belts, which is not good for their safety. We need to help them remember to buckle up.
Methodology
A cross-sectional survey was conducted with systematic sampling of non-urgent ED patients aged 18 and older, using a closed-ended questionnaire.
Potential Biases
Response bias may have occurred due to face-to-face interviews and the lack of diverse research assistants.
Limitations
The study's findings may not be generalizable to the broader population due to its clinical focus and potential volunteer bias.
Participant Demographics
Participants were 48% female, 48% African-American, 40% White, with a median age of 39.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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