Effectiveness of a Car Seat Education Program in Enhancing Car Seat Knowledge and Confidence Among Nurses in Family Birthing Centers: A Quasi-experimental Study

BACKGROUND: According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 38% of children who died in motor vehicle crashes were unrestrained, and improper use of car seats and gaps in caregiver education remain ongoing concerns. Nurses frequently do not have structured, evidence-based education in car seat safety. The Car Seat Education Program (CSEP) was developed to improve nurses' perceived confidence in providing accurate car seat guidance. METHOD: A quasi-experimental, two-group pretest-posttest design was used. Ninety-six nurses participated in either an experimental group completing the CSEP or a control group completing self-oriented learning. The Car Seat Confidence Scale was administered pre-intervention and post-intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t tests, chi-square tests, and a generalized estimating equation model. RESULTS: A significant group-by-time interaction demonstrated greater improvement in the experimental group. Scores increased by 15.38% in the experimental group, with no significant change in the control group. CONCLUSION: The CSEP significantly improved nurses' perceived confidence in car seat education. Integrating structured car seat education into routine nursing education is recommended.