Περίληψη:
Background: The use of seat belts is among the most effective methods of
reducing injury in motor vehicle crashes. We examined trends in seat
belt use by university students from 13 European countries between 1990
and 2000, in relation to changes in legislation, attitudes, and
hazardous driver behaviors.
Methods: Data were collected via an anonymous standardized questionnaire
from university students in Belgium, England, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, and
Spain. There were 10,576 respondents in 1990, and 10,294 in 2000. Data
were also collected from 1672 students in the United States in 2000.
Analyses were performed in early 2002.
Results: Reported seat belt use increased from 63% to 73% in male
students, and from 66% to 77% in female students over the decade.
There were marked increases in seat belt use in countries with changes
in legislation or enforcement from 1990 to 2000, with 24% to 64% more
respondents reporting seat belt use in 2000. The prevalence of use and
noted changes during this period correlated with findings from national
surveys (r = 0.91). Attitudes to seat belt use were associated with
behavior both within and between countries. Nonuse of seat belts was
positively related to alcohol-impaired driving and failure to obey speed
limits.
Conclusions: Legislation has a substantial impact on the use of vehicle
seat belts, but additional gains require efforts to change attitudes
within the university student population.
Συγγραφείς:
Steptoe, A
Wardle, J
Fuller, R
Davidsdottir, S
Davou, B
and Justo, J
