Awareness regarding road safety rules among school children

Abstract

Background: Accidents represent a major epidemic of non communicable diseases in present century [2]. According to WHO, nearly 1.17 million people lost their lives every year due to road accidents and more than 26000 children die and up to 10 million are injured in road crashes each year. India accounts for 6% of the world’s road traffic accidents [1]. Maharashtra has highest number of road accidents in country. Maharashtra’s roads continue to be the most unsafe in the country [7]. The present study was carried out with objectives to assess the awareness level regarding road safety rules among primary school going children.

Material and Methods: Non experimental, Descriptive cross sectional survey design was used for the study. Around 225 school children (10-13) age group 5th to 7th Standard from Rayat high school was selected by using probability method: stratified random sampling techniques. The pre tested structure interview schedule was used to collect the data. It consists of three sections. Section A: Socio Demographic data of children’s (8 Items), Section B: Questionnaire to assess the knowledge regarding road safety measures while walking, travelling in vehicle (10 Items), Rules and symbols for road safety Measures (10 Items). After obtaining the informed consent, data was collected. The collected data was analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics wherever required.

Results: The study findings revealed that, overall mean knowledge score was (13±3.4) which is 65% of total score indicating that the mother’s had satisfactory level of awareness on breast feeding, while only mere percent (9%) had good knowledge, however 10% of them had poor awareness of road safety rules. There was a significant association was found between awareness with socio demographic variables like age, mothers education, and source of information at p≤0.05 level.

Conclusion: Though the school children had satisfactory level of awareness, while considering the age, mother’s education, source of information and Mode of travelling to school. it is important for health care professionals to impart education on road safety rules and its importance. If the children are educated regarding causes and prevention of road traffic accidents, rules and regulations for crossing the road and signal lights, such type of accidents can be reduced to an extent.