Pregnant women and car restraints: Beliefs and practices

Objective: Motor vehicle collisions are a leading cause of death and disabi lity in pregnant women. The purpose of this study was to examine current re straint practices by pregnant women. Additionally, the beliefs and knowledg e of pregnant women about restraint laws and effectiveness were studied. Methods: From May of 1997 to January of 1998, women were surveyed at initia l prenatal visit at four obstetrical clinics, Data collected included age, gravida, ethnicity, educational level attained, payor source, restraint use , and knowledge of effectiveness of restraint use. Results: A total of 807 women completed surveys. Most always wore restraint s before pregnancy, but increased restraint use during pregnancy (79% vs. 8 6%, chi(2), p = 0.02), Only 52% used restraints properly. Significantly few er women believed restraints were beneficial to mother and fetus in late pr egnancy compared with early pregnancy. Only 21% of women were educated on p roper restraint use during pregnancy. Comparison by payor mix showed no dif ference in use or education received. Conclusions: Most women use restraints and continue to do so during pregnan cy, but they use them improperly. Pregnant women are familiar with mandator y restraint laws but are less informed about restraint use in pregnancy. Fe w women receive education from health care providers about proper restraint use, This study highlights the need for aggressive educational efforts to improve car restraint use in pregnant women, thereby reduce maternal and fe tal injury and death.