Date of Award

2008

Publication Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

M.S.

Keywords

Health and environmental sciences, Education

Supervisor

Dr. Anne W. Snowdon

Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Abstract

Road-related crashes are a serious public health issue that continue to kill and injure thousands of children and young adults every year (World Health Organization, 2007). Elevated fatality and injury rates coupled with the low rates of booster seat use among 4- to 8-year old children illustrate the critical need for strategies to improve the rate of booster seat use in this population. The increasing popularity of gaming among children offers an opportunity to use computer games to teach injury prevention to this age group. This pilot study investigated the effectiveness of a computer-based gaming strategy for educating school-aged children about strategies to stay safe in vehicles. Pre- and post-intervention questionnaires were administered to inner-city preschool and elementary students between the ages of 4 and 11 years at the St. Alban's Boys' and Girls' Club in Toronto, Ontario. Changes in children's perceptions about booster seat safety, and their preferences for booster seats were investigated after playing the Booster Buddies Clek Adventure Game. Databases embedded into the game served to evaluate children's performance within the game, their preferences for booster seat styles and their knowledge about correct booster seat use and safe conduct while travelling in a vehicle. This study also examined the utility of gaming software in educating children about safety seat practices, as well as children's attitude towards this type of educative tool.

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