The validity of self-reported seatbelt use: Hispanic and non-Hispanic drivers in El Paso

The validity of self-reported seatbelt use among low belt use populations h as not been evaluated directly, despite the importance of such data for est imating the effectiveness of community-wide interventions and compliance wi th state laws. To address this gap in knowledge 612 drivers were recruited from convenience stores located in 12 randomly generated zip code areas loc ated in El Paso, TX. Self-reported seatbelt use was compared with observed seatbelt use in a single sample of participants. Both data sets were collec ted almost contemporaneously and no participant was aware of having their s eatbelt use observed. Hispanic (n = 388) and white/non-Hispanic (n = 126) d rivers over reported seatbelt use by 27 and 21%, respectively. These findin gs suggest that response bias within low belt use populations may be greate r than suggested by state and national data. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.