895 Acceptability of an m-health intervention to improve child-passenger safety in Ibadan, Nigeria

Background Child car-passenger safety practices remain low in Nigeria. We present findings from the formative phase of a project to deliver an m-health intervention on child-passenger safety to mothers/caregivers attending selected child-immunisation clinics in Ibadan. The aims were to describe: current legal provisions and awareness of child-passenger safety measures, acceptability of a mobile-phone intervention to improve child-passenger safety and availability and costs of standard age-appropriate child seats. Methods Twenty-three key-informant interviews [with enforcement officers (4), doctors (3), teachers (3) and mothers of infants and school-age children (11)] and a market survey were conducted. Data were analysed with ATLAS.ti. Results Current laws do not directly address child safety although the Highway Code stipulates that child-passengers should be restrained in age-appropriate seats and those ≤12years should sit at the back. Most interviewees were aware of the need to use infant seats but not of the need for child-and booster seats. Some barriers to the use of child carseats were lack of knowledge of its importance and cost. Interviewees felt enactment and enforcement of laws and enlightenment were necessary for compliance. Acceptance of a mobile-phone intervention, (although not necessarily a mobile application), was very high. Participants stated that it was cost-effective and convenient. Interviewees suggested the use of calls, bulk SMS, twitter® and facebook®. Twelve retail stores selling items for children were visited. Most stores had about two to three seats each because of low demand. Barely-used and brand new age-appropriate seats were available although infant seats were mostly seen. Most seats had appropriate standard labels. One barely-used booster seat (cost:$30) was seen. Costs of infant seats ranged from $25 – $180 and toddler seats, $30 – $405. Conclusions Findings indicate that an m-health intervention is acceptable and would be timely in improving car-passenger safety practices among the study participants.