Application of child safety seats intervention on children aged 0 - 3 years based on information-motivation-behavior skill model

Abstract

Objective To explore the effectiveness of a child safety seat (CSS) promotion program based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model, in order to provide evidence for CSS interventions targeting children aged 0 - 3 years. Methods A total of 110 parents of children aged 0 - 3 years were recruited from the child health clinic of a community health service center in Qingdao from May to July 2024, and were randomly divided into two groups, with 55 participants in each group.The control group received routine child health follow-up, while the intervention group underwent a 4-week IMB model-based CSS health education program.A generalized estimating equation model was used to assess the intervention effects. Results After the intervention, the intervention group showed significant improvements compared to the control group in risk perception-related constructs, including perceived susceptibility (β=-1.15), perceived severity (β=-0.91), self-efficacy (β=-0.89), response efficacy (β =-0.74), and knowledge of CSS type selection (β=-1.28) (P<0.05).Additionally, the intervention group demonstrated higher levels of CSS safety knowledge (β=-2.10), usage motivation (β =-1.48), self-efficacy (β=-1.42), and Objective skills (β=-0.88) (P<0.05), though no significant difference was observed in knowledge about seat replacement (P>0.05).The frequency of risky child passenger behaviors, such as holding a child in arms (OR=0.34) and using a seat belt alone for the child (OR=0.44), decreased significantly in the intervention group (P<0.05), while no significant difference was found in the frequency of children sitting in the front passenger seat (P>0.05).After intervention, the CSS ownership rate (OR=2.89) and usage rate (OR=3.48) were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion The IMB model-based CSS intervention can enhance parents′ risk perception and CSS knowledge, reduce risky child passenger behaviors, and increase CSS ownership and usage.

Keywords

parents / child safety seats / information-motivation-behavioral skills model