Knowledge and usage of seat belts in an Irish pregnant population

This research correspondence reports the results of a study that explore women's knowledge of seat belt use during pregnancy. The questionnaire-based study asked 22 questions that covered the legal requirements for seat belt use during pregnancy, the recommended positioning of seat belts in pregnancy, and sources of information concerning this topic. The authors received 280 questionnaires (95 from a public clinic and 185 from a semi-private clinic). Most of the women held a driver's license (81%) and drove a car in pregnancy (84%). The wearing of a seat belt during pregnancy was not seen as a legal requirement by 17% of the women. Correct positioning of seat belts was noted by 67% of respondents. The women noted that they received information about seat belt use in pregnancy from a large and varied group of sources, including family doctors, books, prenatal classes, friends, magazines, police television, midwives, and hospital doctors. The authors conclude by calling for a heightened focus on educating women about proper seat belt use in pregnancy.