Helmet use among motorcyclists: observational study in the city of Mar del Plata, Argentina

Abstract

The objective of the study was to assess the use of helmets in a community where helmet use is mandatory but low as there is no police enforcement. A sample comprising 451 motorcyclists in the city of Mar del Plata, Argentina, was studied in 2006. The following variables were studied: gender, type of motorcycle, weather conditions, time of the day, city area and type of road where motorcyclists traveled. Data were analyzed through a multiple logistic regression model. An overall 40% prevalence (95% CI: 35.5;44.5) of helmet use was found. Higher rates of helmet use were seen among women, and under unfavorable weather conditions, lower rates were found in the city outskirts, and variable use was seen according to the type of motorcycle. There is a need to improve law enforcement and to promote education of motorcyclists.

Análisis de los accidentes y las lesiones de los motociclistas en México

“…Se ha demostrado que un motociclista con casco reduce un 25% la probabilidad de resultar lesionado y un 30% si utiliza otro equipo protector (como ropa de cuero), por lo que en conjunto con todo el equipo los riesgos se reducen cerca del 50% 9 . La prevalencia del uso del casco varía alrededor del mundo; por ejemplo, la literatura muestra valores en países emergentes del 16.2% en Laos 20 , el 40% en Argentina 21 , el 48% en Camboya 22 y el 88.7% en Malasia 23 . Las variaciones se deben a factores culturales, socioeconómicos, ambientales, temporales y normativos propios de cada región [24][25][26][27] .…”

Motorcyclists’ Mortality Pattern in Colombia from 2000 to 2013: A Longitudinal Study

“…That is, while interior and more developed regions have higher number of deaths, so do peripheral regions; but in practice, the later ones have much less regulatory law compliance and enforcement, making it more difficult to know the real picture [23,49] with a bigger risk of death [24,33,36].…”

“…Patterns of zigzagging through traffic, talking on a mobile phone while driving, not wearing a motorcycle helmet or using it incorrectly, not using reflective gear, violating traffic regulations, speeding, and driving under the influence of alcohol have been positively associated with the increasing risk of fatalities that motorcyclists around the world are frequently expose to, when involved in traffic accidents [1,7,25,49].…”

Vigilancia de fatores de risco e proteção para doenças e agravos não transmissíveis em município de pequeno porte, Brasil, 2010

“…24 Segundo os dados do 'Global Status Report on Road Safety', 24 a prevalência de uso de capacete na condição de motorista foi de 88,0% no Brasil, em 2007. Mais de 80,0% dos adultos deste estudo referiram usar capacete ao andar de moto como passageiro ou como motorista, percentual duas vezes superior ao observado em estudo realizado em Mar del Plata, na Argentina, 25 e semelhante a estimativa para o Brasil. 24 Os fatores de risco mais prevalentes neste estudo foram o excesso de peso e o consumo de carne com gordura visível; e os fatores de proteção menos prevalentes, a prática de atividade física no lazer e o consumo de cinco porções de frutas e hortaliças em cinco ou mais dias da semana.…”