Citation

Pabayo R, Gauvin L. Prev. Med. 2008; 46(1): 63-66.

Affiliation

Faculté de médecine, Groupe de recherche interdisciplinaire en santé and Médecine sociale et préventive, Université de Montréal, Canada H2V 4P3. roman.pabayo@umontreal.ca

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ypmed.2007.07.032

PMID

17825899

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purposes of this study were to describe the prevalence of modes of transportation to school and to identify socioeconomic correlates. METHODS: Proportions of students using different modes of transportation were estimated among a population-based sample of 3613 youth aged 9, 13, and 16 years who participated in the 1999 Quebec Child and Adolescent Health and Social Survey. RESULTS: Weighted analyses showed significant differences in the use of different modes of transportation to and from school across socioeconomic groups. For example, 40.3%, 15.2%, and 13.0% of 9, 13, and 16 year olds walked to school. In addition, 1.2%, 11.3%, and 13.8% of 9, 13, and 16 year olds used public transportation whereas 33.1%, 51.2%, and 55.6% of 9, 13, and 16 year olds took the school bus to school; 14.3%, 7.3%, and 5.0% of 9, 13, and 16 year olds were transported by car; finally, 10.7%, 14.1%, and 11.7% of 9, 13, and 16 year olds indicated they used multiple modes of transportation. Girls, higher income of children, children of immigrants, and rural-dwelling children were less likely to walk to school. CONCLUSION: Findings indicate that there are differing modes of transportation to and from school across socioeconomic groups.

Language: en