Knowledge of neonatal car seat location in a predominantly disadvantaged prenatal population

In order to assess knowledge of correct car seat location in prenatal patients of predominant lower socioeconomic status, an anonymous survey was performed at 2 inner city obstetric clinics. The survey participants (n = 688) were asked to select from among 3 drawings the correct location of a neonatal car seat. The choices showed an infant facing backward in the rear seat, forward in the rear seat, and backward in the front seat. The correct location of the car seat was selected by 61% of the participating subjects. Knowledge of correct location was related to age (p = 0.047), race (p = 0.002), and parity (p = 0.001) on univariate analysis. Education, survey site, and attendance at prenatal classes did not significantly correlate with car seat knowledge. Multiple regression analysis revealed that Caucasian race compared to African-American race predicted correct knowledge of car seat location with an Odds Ratio of 2.11 (CI 1.38-3.24). Multiparous women were more likely to know where to install a car seat relative to nulliparous women with an Odds Ratio of 1.63 (CI 1.12-2.38). Age was not significantly correlated with car seat knowledge on multivariate analysis. Knowledge of neonatal car seat location was suboptimal in our predominantly disadvantaged population, particularly in nulliparous, African-American women. Further prenatal education is needed during pregnancy or before hospital discharge to address this knowledge deficit.