Effect of motorcycle helmet types on head injuries: evidence from eight level-I trauma centres in Taiwan

Abstract

Background: Motorcycle full-coverage helmet use may reduce fatalities and head injuries. Methods: This retrospective cohort study extracted injury data from eight level-I trauma centres in Taiwan and performed a questionnaire survey to investigate injuries sustained by motorcyclists for the period between January 2015 and June 2017. Results: As many as 725 patients participated in the questionnaire survey and reported their helmet types or phone use during crashes. The results of multivariate logistic models demonstrated that nonstandard helmet (half or open-face helmet) use was associated with an increased risk of head injuries and more severe injuries (injury severity score ≥ 8). Drunk riding and phone use appeared to be two important risk factors for head injuries and increased injury severity. Anaemia was also found to be a determinant of head injuries." Conclusions: Compared to full-coverage helmets, nonstandard provide less protection against head injuries and increased injury severity among motorcyclists.

Upper and Lower Extremity Injury Pattern and Severity of Motorbike Accident – A Retrospective Study

“…Accident victims who were not wearing crash helmet ended up being disabled and/or dead compared with those who wore crash helmet. These findings agree with previous studies [4,[16][17][18]. Other studies conducted in the USA [23] and India [24] reported similar findings to what was reported in this study.…”

“…Injuries to head and neck following motorcyclerelated accidents are common injuries which result in serious morbidity and mortality. Several studies are consistent that the use of crash helmet reduces the risk of head and neck injury severity among motorcycle users [4,[16][17][18]. The use of crash helmet is said to be very low in developing countries despite the existence of regulations that mandates its use [19][20][21].…”

“…The use of motorcycle as a means of transportation is a common feature in most developing countries [1][2][3][4] primarily for its fuel efficiency, attending low cost and ease of manoeuvring within communities with less accessible road network. Motorcycle users are among the most vulnerable road users and are prone to various forms of injuries during road traffic accident (RTA).…”

Prevalence and factors associated with effective helmet use among motorcyclists in Mysuru City of Southern India

“…Head injury is more severe among those who wear non-standard helmet than those who wear standard helmet [7]. Evidence indicates that traumatic brain injury and impact during road crash decreases in standard as well as full-face helmet users [3,[8][9][10][11][12]. Full-face helmet provides facial protection in addition to head protection [4].…”

“…Thus, using standard, full-face, and properly strapped helmet termed as effective helmet use is key to reducing injuries and deaths to greatest extent in motorcycle crash. Previous road side observational studies examined the prevalence and factors associated with helmet use (any helmet or proper helmet use) but none of them specifically studied use of full-face and properly strapped helmet [ 9 , 13 – 15 ]. With this background, we assessed prevalence and factors associated with effective helmet use among the motorcyclists in Mysuru, a tier II city in Southern India.…”