Faculty Collaboration Database

Car seat education: A randomized controlled trial of teaching methods. Injury 2018 Jul;49(7):1272-1277

Date

05/10/2018

Pubmed ID

29739654

DOI

10.1016/j.injury.2018.05.003

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85046817314 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   13 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine if a less labor-intensive video-based program for teaching car seat installation can be as effective as the traditional didactic lecture component.

METHODS: This is a randomized controlled trial of caregivers seeking car seat education. Caregivers were assigned to didactic or video-based social learning classes. The didactic class involved live lecture; the social learning class included a brief lecture and the video, Simple Steps to Child Passenger Safety, utilizing social learning principles. Proficiency in child passenger safety was evaluated pre- and post-class via: (1) 5-question confidence assessment; (2) 15-question knowledge test; and (3) 5-part car seat installation demonstration. Data were analyzed to compare post-class assessment scores between teaching modalities using pre-test scores as covariates, and correlation of participant confidence and knowledge with installation ability.

RESULTS: 526 individuals registered and were randomized. A total of 213 arrived for class with 103 randomized to didactic teaching and 111 to social learning. Didactics and social learning groups showed similar increases in post-class confidence, knowledge, and installation ability. In the pre-class assessment, 16% of participants in each group installed the car seat correctly. After controlling for baseline installation ability, correct post-class car seat installation did not vary between groups (mean difference = 0.001; p = 0.964). Among participants with high scores on the knowledge assessment, only 57% could demonstrate correct car seat installation (r_s = 0.160, p = 0.023).

CONCLUSION: Video-based social learning methodology, which requires less time and resources, was as effective in teaching child passenger safety as didactic lecture. Both teaching methods significantly improved proficiency in child passenger restraint. Car seat installation knowledge is only weakly correlated with proper installation ability and proper installation remains a challenge, even after education.

Author List

Kuroiwa E, Ragar RL, Langlais CS, Baker A, Linnaus ME, Notrica DM

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Accidents, Traffic
Adult
Automobile Driving
Child Restraint Systems
Child, Preschool
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Health Education
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Male
Parents
Pregnancy
Problem-Based Learning
Program Evaluation
United States
Wounds and Injuries