Analysis on influencing factors for child restraint system use in Shanghai and Shenzhen, China / 中华流行病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To understand the factors related with child restraint system (CRS) use,and provide evidence for the development of appropriate intervention measures to promote the use of CRS for the protection of child passengers' safety.Methods Self-administrated questionnaire survey was conducted among 0-6 years old children' s parents who owned private cars selected through stratified cluster random sampling in Shanghai and Shenzhen to collect date about CRS use and related factors.Group discussion was conducted among some of the parents randomly selected to further understand the reasons for using or not using CRS.Results Of 7 528 parents surveyed,39.23 ％ (2 820/7 189) reported to have CRS and 17.14％(1 232/7 189) reported consistent use of CRS.Multivariate analysis indicated that young age of children,high level of education of parents,good family economic status,awareness of importance of children's safety were the positive factors for CRS use.The frequency and distance of children' car taking and the seatbelt use of drivers significantly influenced the CRS use.The main reasons for not purchasing CRS included limited car space (53.33％,2 329/4 367),low frequency of children car taking (48.55％,2 120/4 367),difficulty in installation (42.25％,1 845/4 367),high cost (38.58％,1 685/4 367),and unreliable quality (31.03％,1 355/4 367).The main reasons for not using CRS included children' s refusal (67.36％,293/435),short travel distance (53.79％,234/435),difficulty in installation or use (53.10％,231/435),limited car space (32.41％,141/435),and unnecessary (25.75％,112/435).Conclusions Parents have gaps and misunderstandings in using CRSs to protect child passengers safety.There are demands of technical guiding service in use of CRS.Integrated intervention measures should be implemented targeting at the identified barriers and needs in CRS use to promote child passenger safety,which include strengthening the propaganda and education,promoting the legislation and law enforcement,strengthening market supervision,establishing CRS related services site,exploring the rental market,etc.