Effects of the Keep Infants Seated Safely (K.I.S.S [sic]) Program on adult and infant automobile restraint use

Abstract

This research examined the effects of the La Crosse County Chapter American Red Cross Keep Infants Seated Safely (K.I.S.S.) program on the use of infant car seats and adult safety belts. Marital status, level of income, occupational status, level of education, and prior safety belt use were other variables analyzed in the study. Ss consisted of 84 mothers who delivered healthy infants at either La Crosse Lutheran Hospital or St. Francis Medical Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin, during the month of October, 1985. The treatment group (N=44) was composed of Ss who participated in the K.I.S.S. program. The control group (N=40) were Ss who did not participate in the program. The study utilized a pretest, four telephone follow-up interviews, and a posttest conducted with the final telephone interview. The telephone interviews were conducted at six week intervals. The chi square test of independence, Spearman's r, multiple regression, and the independent groups t-test were used to analyze the data collected from both groups at the p<.05 level. Marital status and K.I.S.S. program participation were significantly related to infant car seat use. Prior safety belt use, level of education, and K.I.S.S. program participation were significantly associated with adult safety belt use. No significant correlation was found between infant car seat and adult safety belt use. Further studies that include observational methods of data collection are needed to determine the effects of legislation on safety restraint use.