Rates of motorcycle helmet use and reasons for non-use among adults and children in Luang Prabang, Lao People’s Democratic Republic

BMC Public Health

Research Article

Theresa M. Strong¹  Keo Sysaythong²  Khauphan Khantysavath²  Somchittana Souralay²  Somchit Bounnaphone²  Yvonne K. Taylor²  Siamphone Ouansavanh²  Amphone Vilaysom²  Sengchanh Touvachao²  Jessica L. Dwyer²  Amphone Mounmingkham²  Siviengxam Mounmeuangxam²  Jonathan M. Spector²  Khamhak Phoumesy²  Dalika Sittiphone²  Mai Kasuavang²  Thongher Lia²  Baoher Lianosay²  Susanne Werner²  Arian Mobasser³  Michelle C. Fong³  Jeffrey R. Measelle³ 

[1] Department of General Pediatrics, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, USA;Lao Friends Hospital for Children, Luang Prabang, Laos;Lao Friends Hospital for Children, Luang Prabang, Laos;Department of Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA;

关键词: Helmet use;    Children;    Motorcycles;    Lao PDR;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12889-015-2304-2

 received in 2015-06-28, accepted in 2015-09-21,  发布年份 2015

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundMotorcycles make up 81 % of the total vehicle population and 74 % of road traffic deaths in Lao PDR. Helmets reduce the risk and severity of injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents by 72 %. Although Lao law mandates motorcycle helmet use among drivers and passengers, the prevalence of helmet use in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR is unknown. This project aimed to measure the prevalence of motorcycle helmet use among riders (i.e., drivers and passengers) in Luang Prabang.MethodsAn observational survey in Luang Prabang was conducted in February 2015 to measure the prevalence of motorcycle helmet use among drivers and passengers. Additionally, non-helmet wearing riders were surveyed to identify the reasons for helmet non-use.ResultsOf 1632 motorcycle riders observed, only 16.2 % wore helmets. Approximately 29 % of adults wore helmets while less than 1 % of all children wore helmets. When surveyed about attitudes towards helmet use, the majority of adult drivers indicated that they did not like how adult helmets feel or made them look. Additionally, almost half of motorcyclists who did not own child helmets reported that their child was too young to wear a helmet.ConclusionsOur finding that children wear helmets at significantly lower rates compared to adults is consistent with findings from neighboring countries in Southeast Asia. Results of this study have implications for public health campaigns targeting helmet use, especially among children.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Fong et al. 2015