Seat belt use among teenagers in two Israeli family practices

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of deaths among Israeli teenagers. Despite the efficacy seat belt use in reducing mortality, and legislation requiring seat belt use in all car positions, a large proportion of Israeli adolescents do not consistently use seat belts. Differential data regarding front and rear seat belt use in this population are not available. The objective of this study was to determine the rates of front and rear seat belt use among a sample of Israeli teenagers in the primary care setting. Seventy-eight teenagers attending preventive adolescent health visits in two Israeli family practice clinics completed questionnaires that included questions regarding seat belt use. Structured counseling by the family nurse was provided following completion of the questionnaire. Sixty-four percent of the teenagers reported using front seat belts all of the time, while only 8% used rear seat belts all of the time. Infrequent or non-use of rear seat belts was more prevalent among 10th than among 7th graders. It is concluded that public health strategies in addition to legislation are needed to optimize seat belt use among Israeli teenagers. Health education regarding seat belt use - with an emphasis on rear seat belts - can and should be incorporated into adolescent preventive health visits in the primary care setting.