Evaluating the Use of Child Restraint Systems and Resulting Injury and Fatalities using Demographic and Social Characteristics of Driver's Home Zip Code

• Activity Number: 202
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Monday, August 1, 2016 : 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM
• Sponsor: Government Statistics Section
• Author(s): Anastasia Vishnyakova*
• Companies: Temple University
• Keywords: child restraint system ; logistic regression ; complex survey design ; merican Community Survey ; GES NASS

Abstract

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among young children. Use of child restraint systems, such as car seats, significantly reduces the risk of injury and fatality. Previous research showed that adults with low income and low education were less likely to use child restraint systems. Therefore their children were more likely to suffer injuries during accidents. Using GES (Geographic Estimates Systems) NASS (National Automotive Sampling System) and demographic data from the American Community Survey, this study determined that there is an association between variables related to socioeconomic deprivation and the use of restraint systems. Specifically, controlling for other factors in multiple logistic regression, it was found that the odds of restraint nonuse were higher for areas with highest deprivation (OR=1.15; OR 95 CI=1.10-1.21). Adjusted odds of injury were approximately 4 times higher for children traveling with drivers from zip codes with a high deprivation index when restraint system was not used (OR=4.24; OR 95% CI=2.31-7.77).