SAFETY BEHAVIOR AMONG IOWA JUNIOR-HIGH AND HIGH-SCHOOL-STUDENTS

The goal of this study was to determine demographic factors associated with reported safety behavior by studying 2250 Iowa junior high and h igh school students via a self-administered questionnaire. Students at tending rural schools used front seat belts and helmets less frequentl y than urban students. Seat belt and helmet use and swim safety decrea sed dramatically with age. Occurrences of driving or riding while drun k or high increased with age. Boys were less likely than girls to wear back seat belts and moped helmets and to check water depth before div ing. Possession of a driver's license was not independently associated with any of the safety behaviors.