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

Abstract

Background: Helmet use reduces the risk and severity of head injury and death due to road traffic crash among motorcyclists. The protective efficacy of different types of helmets varies. Wearing firmly fastened full-face helmet termed as effective helmet use provides greatest protection. This study estimates the prevalence and factors associated with effective helmet use among motorcyclists in Mysuru, a tier II city in Southern India. Methods: Cross-sectional road side observational study of 3499 motorcyclists (2134 motorcycle riders and 1365 pillion riders) at four traffic intersections was done followed by interview of random sample of 129 of the above riders. Effective helmet use proportion and effective helmet use per 100 person-minute of observation was calculated. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to identify factors associated with effective helmet use. Results: Prevalence of effective helmet use was 28 per 100 riders and 19.5 per 100 person-minute of observation in traffic intersections. Prevalence rates of effective helmet use was higher among riders (34.5% vs pillion riders 18.1%), female riders (51.3% vs male riders 26.8%), and male pillion riders (30.5% vs female pillion riders 13.7%). Riders commuting for work and school and those ever stopped by the police in the past 3 months had significantly higher odds of effective helmet use. Conclusion: Despite helmet use being compulsory by law for motorcyclists, the effective helmet use was low in Mysore. Strict enforcement and frequent checks by the police are necessary to increase the effective helmet use.

Helmet Use Among Two-Wheeler Riders’ Road Accident Victims in Benin

“…The proportion of subjects closing their helmet straps was higher in our study than in South India (35.3%) and Malaysia (40%) [5,14]. It should be noted that these studies are direct observational studies, whereas the proportions in our study are based on self-reporting.…”

“…Despite the existence of the law, compliance with this measure is not yet effective among all two-wheeled users in Benin. According to the authors, certain factors influence helmet use, including position on the motorbike and gender [5][6][7][8]. For Setty et al, female drivers wear helmets more than men, but when men are passengers, they wear them more than women [5].…”

“…According to the authors, certain factors influence helmet use, including position on the motorbike and gender [5][6][7][8]. For Setty et al, female drivers wear helmets more than men, but when men are passengers, they wear them more than women [5]. Age, purpose of travel, and the fact of having been stopped, ticked, or summoned by the police influence helmet use, according to some authors [5,7,9].…”

“…Age, purpose of travel, and the fact of having been stopped, ticked, or summoned by the police influence helmet use, according to some authors [5,7,9]. For example, people who commute to work or school wear helmets more compared to those travelling to/from leisure activities or travelling for pleasure [5]. Other factors for not wearing helmets mentioned by non-helmet wearers are the discomfort caused by helmets [6,7,10].…”

Helmet use behavior and its relation to head injury of road traffic accident in Indonesia (Basic Health Research, 2018)

“…16 In Mysuru city, India, only 19.5 per 100 person minute of observation among motorcyclists used effective helmets. 17 Several causes is contributed to the non-helmet use, such as age, gender, geography, and behavior. 18 Teens and children, women, rural areas, and alcohol consumption is also connected with the non helmet use.…”