Evaluation of Safe Kids Week 2004: age 4 to 9? It's booster seat time!

OBJECTIVE To assess the effectiveness of a national one week media campaign promoting booster seat use. DESIGN Pre-test, post-test design based on nationally representative random digit dialing telephone survey, with control for exposure to campaign. SETTING Canada. SUBJECTS Parents of children aged 4-9 years. INTERVENTIONS During a one week campaign in May 2004, information on booster seat use was distributed via a national media campaign, retail stores, medical clinics, and community events. Information included pamphlets with guidelines for booster seat use, as well as a growth chart (designed by Safe Kids Canada) to assist parents in determining if their child should be using a booster seat. Assessing seat belt fit was described in detail on the growth chart. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Knowledge, attitudes, and self-reported behaviors regarding booster seat use. RESULTS Respondents in the group exposed to the campaign were twice as likely to report using a booster seat with lap and shoulder belt for their child (47%), compared to those in the pre-test (24%) and the unexposed (23%) groups (p<0.001). However, only small differences in general knowledge regarding booster seat use were found between the groups. CONCLUSIONS A one week national media campaign substantially increased self-reported use of booster seats. Parents did not remember details of the campaign content, but did remember implications for their own child.