Prediction of Seat Belt Use Behavior among Adolescents Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior

Background: Road Traffic Injuries (RTIs) are the important causes of unintentional injuries anddeaths. In this respect, seat belt wearing is an influential factor in reducing the mortality and severityof road traffic injuries. The rate of seat belt use among is lower adolescents, compared to adults.The present study aimed to investigate the influential factors on seat belt-wearing behavior amongadolescent students as car occupants based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB).Study design: A cross-sectional design.Methods: This study was conducted among ۹۵۲ adolescent students studying in grades ۷, ۸, and۹ in the schools of Tabriz, Iran, in the ۲۰۱۹-۲۰ academic year. A researcher-made questionnairewas designed based on TPB for data collection, the validity and reliability of which have beenconfirmed.Results: The results indicated that the rate of seat belt use in the front seat inside the city waslower than that outside the city. Regarding TPB constructs, perceived behavioral control (β=۰.۱۳۷;۹۵% CI: ۰.۰۰۶, ۰.۰۱۳; P<۰.۰۰۱), subjective norm (β=۰.۳۱۳; ۹۵% CI: ۰.۰۲۱, ۰.۰۳۲; P<۰.۰۰۱), andattitude (β=۰.۳۲۲; ۹۵% CI: ۰.۰۳۴, ۰.۰۵۳; P<۰.۰۰۱) had a significant and positive relationship withthe intention of seat belt-wearing behavior. Moreover, the behavioral intention (β=۰.۵۷۱; ۹۵% CI:۰.۶۲, ۰.۶۴; P<۰.۰۰۱) had a significantly positive relationship with seat belt-wearing behavior.Conclusion: The Theory of Planned Behavior is appropriate to determine predictor factors of seatbelt-wearing behavior among adolescent students as car occupants. In addition, the results of thepresent study may provide a theoretical basis for policy-making to improve adolescent students'seat belt use.