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Effective Factors of Improved Helmet Use in Motorcyclists: A Systematic Review Publisher Pubmed



Mahdavi Sharif P1, 2 ; Najafi Pazooki S1, 2 ; Ghodsi Z1, 3 ; Nouri A4 ; Ghoroghchi HA4 ; Tabrizi R5 ; Shafieian M6 ; Heydari ST7 ; Atlasi R8 ; Sharifalhoseini M1 ; Ansarimoghaddam A9 ; Oreilly G10 ; Rahimimovaghar V1, 3, 11, 12, 13
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Sina Trauma and Surgery Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
  5. 5. Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fasa, Iran
  6. 6. The Department of Biomedical Engineering, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Tehran, Iran
  7. 7. Health Policy Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
  8. 8. Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  9. 9. Health Promotion Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
  10. 10. Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
  11. 11. Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Tehran, Iran
  12. 12. Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
  13. 13. Visiting Professor, Spine Program, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

Source: BMC Public Health Published:2023


Abstract

Background: Road traffic injuries (RTI) are one of the most prominent causes of morbidity and mortality, especially among children and young adults. Motorcycle crashes constitute a significant part of RTIs. Policymakers believe that safety helmets are the single most important protection against motorcycle-related injuries. However, motorcyclists are not wearing helmets at desirable rates. This study systematically investigated factors that are positively associated with helmet usage among two-wheeled motorcycle riders. Methods: We performed a systematic search on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane library with relevant keywords. No language, date of publication, or methodological restrictions were applied. All the articles that had evaluated the factors associated with helmet-wearing behavior and were published before December 31, 2021, were included in our study and underwent data extraction. We assessed the quality of the included articles using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist for observational studies. Results: A total of 50 articles were included. Most evidence suggests that helmet usage is more common among drivers (compared to passengers), women, middle-aged adults, those with higher educations, married individuals, license holders, and helmet owners. Moreover, the helmet usage rate is higher on highways and central city roads and during mornings and weekdays. Travelers of longer distances, more frequent users, and riders of motorcycles with larger engines use safety helmets more commonly. Non-helmet-using drivers seem to have acceptable awareness of mandatory helmet laws and knowledge about their protective role against head injuries. Importantly, complaint about helmet discomfort is somehow common among helmet-using drivers. Conclusions: To enhance helmet usage, policymakers should emphasize the vulnerability of passengers and children to RTIs, and that fatal crashes occur on low-capacity roads and during cruising at low speeds. Monitoring by police should expand to late hours of the day, weekends, and lower capacity and less-trafficked roads. Aiming to enhance the acceptance of other law-abiding behaviors (e.g., wearing seat belts, riding within the speed limits, etc.), especially among youth and young adults, will enhance the prevalence of helmet-wearing behavior among motorcycle riders. Interventions should put their focus on improving the attitudes of riders regarding safety helmets, as there is acceptable knowledge of their benefits. © 2023, The Author(s).