THE PREVALENCE OF SEAT-BELT USE IN JAMAICA - AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

An observational cross-sectional survey showed that 21.1% of private m otor vehicle drivers and 13.5% of front seat passengers voluntarily wo re seat belts in Kingston, Jamaica, where there is no law requiring th is. Rear passenger utilisation was not examined. Compared to males, fe males were significantly more likely to wear seat belts when driving b ut not as front seat passengers. Of all motor vehicles examined, 10.1% were not equipped with seat belts. The oldest group of vehicles were mostly not fitted with seat belts. Drivers of older vehicles were sign ificantly less likely to use seat belts even when the vehicles were eq uipped with belts. implementation of legislation can reduce mortality, morbidity and costs from road traffic accidents which are relatively frequent in Jamaica. Male drivers, drivers of older vehicles and all p assengers may require specific targeting in an educational and enforce ment campaign should legislation, which is highly desirable, be implem ented.