This study involves an emergency department (ED)-based intervention utilizing Motivational Interviewing (MI) techniques and patient-centered (e.g., tailored) print materials to promote the correct and consistent use of size-appropriate child passenger restraints (car seats, booster seats, and seat belts). This study is designed as a randomized pilot trial.
Motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) remain a leading cause of death among children after the first year of life despite substantial improvements in passenger safety. Deaths and severe injuries from MVCs can be reduced significantly through the consistent use of size-appropriate child passenger restraints. Still, 10% of children ride completely unrestrained and roughly one-quarter do not use the recommended restraint for their size. New approaches are needed to motivate behavior change among parents who do not consistently use size-appropriate passenger restraints for their children from birth through age 10. Emergency department (ED) visits represent unique opportunities to reach vulnerable children and their parents who have difficulty accessing the primary care settings where childhood injury prevention information is commonly provided. Motivational interviewing (MI) in the ED has been used to encourage a variety of health behaviors among at-risk patients. However, MI has not been previously evaluated for child passenger safety promotion programs. This study will involve an ED-based intervention utilizing MI techniques and patient-centered (e.g., tailored) print materials to promote the correct and consistent use of size-appropriate child passenger restraints. This study is designed as a randomized pilot trial of the intervention utilizing a 2x2 factorial design to examine the independent and additive effects of ED-based MI and tailored print materials on the consistent use of size-appropriate child passenger restraints. Aim 1) To assess the feasibility and acceptability of the ED-based intervention among parents of children from birth through age 10; Aim 2) To determine the impact of the intervention on child passenger restraint attitudes and practices at 6-month follow-up in comparison to baseline assessments.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
345
Motivational interviewing (MI) in the ED has been used to encourage a variety of health behaviors among at-risk patients. In this study, researchers will employ motivational interviewing with half of the study participants to investigate the effects of the technique on child passenger restraint behaviors in a population of parents of children birth to 10 years of age.
Tailored Print materials will be mailed to half of participants to investigate the effects of using patient-centered educational materials compared with generic educational materials to influence child passenger restraint behaviors in a population of parents of children birth to 10 years of age.
University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital Emergency Department
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
Hurley Medical Center Emergency Department
Flint, Michigan, United States
Use of size-appropriate restraint
At the 6-month follow-up encounter, we will reassess the child's current passenger restraint use. We will measure the impact of the intervention on use of a size-appropriate restraint for the child.
Time frame: 6 month follow up
Transition at the recommended time
At the 6-month follow-up encounter, we will measure the impact of the intervention on the appropriateness of the transition to the next restraint.
Time frame: 6 month follow up
Change in sub-optimal restraint use
We will determine change from baseline to 6-month follow-up in parent's report of allowing sub-optimal restraint use (e.g., unrestrained, premature transition to a less protective restraint).
Time frame: 6 month follow up
Acceptability of the intervention (composite measure)
Participants will be asked to provide impressions of acceptability of the intervention by rating the following: * quality of educational information received in relation to the study * amount of time spent reviewing study educational materials * amount of information shared with family/friends * acceptability of initiating the intervention in the ED
Time frame: 2 week follow up
Acceptability of the intervention (composite measure)
Participants will be asked to provide impressions of acceptability of the intervention by rating the following: * quality of educational information received in relation to the study * amount of time spent reviewing study educational materials * amount of information shared with family/friends * acceptability of initiating the intervention in the ED
Time frame: 6 month follow up
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