The formulation and implementation of a national helmet law: a case study from Viet Nam

Passmore, Jonathon; Nguyen, Lan Huong; Nguyen, Nam; Olivé, Jean-Marc

doi:10.2471/blt.09.071662

Cited by 39 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 6 publications

(4 reference statements)

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“…Liu et al, 12 Maskal et al, 13 and Passmore et al 14 reported that laws obligating the use of helmets reduced the incidence of fatal and/or serious motorcycle injuries. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 15 observed that the use of seat belts was the main factor responsible for reducing the severity of injuries in car crashes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Frontal Bone Fractures

Marinheiro¹,

Medeiros²,

Sverzut³

et al. 2014

Journal of Craniofacial Surgery

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The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the epidemiology, treatment, and complications of frontal bone fractures associated, or not, with other facial fractures. This evaluation also sought to minimize the influence of the surgeon's skills and the preference for any rigid internal fixation system. The files from 3758 patients who attended the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of the School of Dentistry of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, from March 2004 to November 2011 and presented with facial trauma were scanned, and 52 files were chosen for the review. Eleven (21.15%) of these patients had pure fractures of the frontal bone, and trauma incidence was more prevalent in men (92.3%), whites (61.53%), and adults (50%). Despite the use of helmets at the moment of the trauma, motorcycle crashes were the most common etiological factor (32.69%). Fracture of the anterior wall of the frontal sinus with displacement was the main injury observed (54.9%), and the most common treatment was internal fixation with a plate and screws (45.09%). Postoperative complications were observed in 35.29% of the cases. The therapy applied was effective in handling this type of fracture, and the success rate was comparable to that reported in other published studies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Frontal Bone Fractures

Marinheiro¹,

Medeiros²,

Sverzut³

et al. 2014

Journal of Craniofacial Surgery

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“…However, these data show a different pattern compared to the US where head injuries only account for around one third of motorcycle deaths [37,38]; and helmeted motorcyclists are most likely to die from the injury to other body parts (i.e., the thorax) [38]. Though data on helmet use at the time of injury were not available from our study, observations in a sample of provinces conducted within 6 months after launching the helmet law reported average helmet wearing of 96% in motorbike users [39]. However, at the time of launching the legislation, one study found that 80% of helmets on the market failed to meet the quality standards [40].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Road traffic related mortality in Vietnam: Evidence for policy from a national sample mortality surveillance system

et al. 2012

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BackgroundRoad traffic injuries (RTIs) are among the leading causes of mortality in Vietnam. However, mortality data collection systems in Vietnam in general and for RTIs in particular, remain inconsistent and incomplete. Underlying distributions of external causes and body injuries are not available from routine data collection systems or from studies till date. This paper presents characteristics, user type pattern, seasonal distribution, and causes of 1,061 deaths attributable to road crashes ascertained from a national sample mortality surveillance system in Vietnam over a two-year period (2008 and 2009).MethodsA sample mortality surveillance system was designed for Vietnam, comprising 192 communes in 16 provinces, accounting for approximately 3% of the Vietnamese population. Deaths were identified from commune level data sources, and followed up by verbal autopsy (VA) based ascertainment of cause of death. Age-standardised mortality rates from RTIs were computed. VA questionnaires were analysed in depth to derive descriptive characteristics of RTI deaths in the sample.ResultsThe age-standardized mortality rates from RTIs were 33.5 and 8.5 per 100,000 for males and females respectively. Majority of deaths were males (79%). Seventy three percent of all deaths were aged from 15 to 49 years and 58% were motorcycle users. As high as 80% of deaths occurred on the day of injury, 42% occurred prior to arrival at hospital, and a further 29% occurred on-site. Direct causes of death were identified for 446 deaths (42%) with head injuries being the most common cause attributable to road traffic injuries overall (79%) and to motorcycle crashes in particular (78%).ConclusionThe VA method can provide a useful data source to analyse RTI mortality. The observed considerable mortality from head injuries among motorcycle users highlights the need to evaluate current practice and effectiveness of motorcycle helmet use in Vietnam. The high number of deaths occurring on-site or prior to hospital admission indicates a need for effective pre-hospital first aid services and timely access to emergency facilities. In the absence of standardised death certification, sustained efforts are needed to strengthen mortality surveillance sites supplemented by VA to support evidence based monitoring and control of RTI mortality.

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“…A comprehensive motorcycle helmet legislation that made helmet use compulsory for all motorcycle riders and passengers on all roads was introduced in June 2007, came into force for government workers in September 2007 and came in force for the general public in December 2007. 6 Legislation introduced in September 2007 increased fines for helmet non-use from US$2-5 to US$11-22 per offence, the latter representing about 30% of the average monthly income per capita. 6 20 At that time, the majority of Vietnamese households were willing to pay the average market price of US$17 for a standard helmet.…”

Section: Settingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This legislation expanded mandatory helmet use to all riders on all roads, substantially increased penalties for helmet non-use and made provisions for increased enforcement. 6 As a result, helmet use increased from 30% of riders to 93% within months. 7 8 Studies in other settings have examined the influence of helmet use policies on aggregate population health, but the distribution of benefits and equity improvements resulting from such changes in regulation remains understudied and uncertain.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%