Seatbelt use among university students from 26 low-, middle- and high-income countries

Abstract

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of self-reported seatbelt use and
sociodemographic, health risk behaviour and social-legal correlates among university students
in 26 low-, middle- and high-income countries. Using anonymous questionnaires, data were
collected from 16 770 undergraduate university students (mean age 20.9, SD=2.9) from 23
universities in 26 countries across Asia, Africa and the Americas. Results indicate that the
percentage of university students reporting to be inconsistently using a seatbelt were 54.7% for
all countries, 56.0% for men and 53.7% for women. In multivariate logistic regression, younger
age, poorer family background, living in a low-income or lower-middle-income country, having
no national seatbelt law or a law that does not apply to all occupants, poor attitudes towards
seatbelt use, not always following the speed limit, having depressive symptoms, drug use, and
low physical activity were associated with self-reported inconsistent seatbelt use. High selfreported
inconsistent seatbelt use was found and several risk factors were identified which can
be utilised in seatbelt use promotion programmes.