Table 1:
Characteristics of motor vehicle occupants with and without seat belt use
| Variables | Belted (n=252) | Unbelted (n=570) | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, yr | 35 (28.3, 44) | 35 (26, 46) | 0.807 |
| Gender | 0.015 * | ||
| Female | 95 (36.4%) | 166 (63.6%) | |
| Male | 157 (28.0%) | 404 (72.0%) | |
| Law implementation | <.001 * | ||
| Pre-Law (1997.6.1–2001.5.31) | 34 (13.5%) | 217 (86.5%) | |
| Post-Law (2001.6.1–2013.5.31) | 218 (38.2%) | 353 (61.9%) | |
| Hospital stay, days | 6 (4, 12) | 8 (4, 15) | 0.026 * |
| Glasgow Outcome Scale | <.001 * | ||
| Good recovery | 223 (90.3%) | 413 (77.6%) | |
| Moderate disability | 12 (4.9%) | 47 (8.8%) | |
| Severe disability | 7 (2.8%) | 36 (6.8%) | |
| Vegetative state | 0 (0%) | 3 (0.6%) | |
| Death | 5 (2.0%) | 33 (6.2%) |
Continuous variables were expressed by median and IQR, which were then compared between belted and unbelted groups by the Mann-Whitney U test. Categorical variables were expressed by count and percentage, which were then compared between belted and unbelted groups by the Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test.
*
indicates a significant difference between belted and unbelted groups.