Factors associated with bicycle-helmet use among 8–16 years aged Turkish children: a questionnaire survey

The purpose of this cross-sectional, descriptive study was to assess the rates of helmet usage and to examine variables related to bicycle helmet use in a sample of 8–16 year old Turkish children. Data were collected from a purposive sample of 1180 students who self-identified as cyclists and 1128 parents or guardians in two state primary schools in two urban municipalities in the northern part of Istanbul, Turkey. Results showed that self-reported helmet use was found prevalent in 4.4% of the children. The most cited reasons for not wearing a helmet were: ‘don't own one’, ‘helmets are uncool’, and ‘uncomfortable’. Significant differences between helmet users and non-users correlated to gender, age, owning a bicycle helmet, wearing a friend's bicycle helmet and parents or guardian's bicycle helmet use while riding. Only three variables – helmet ownership (OR = 10.028, 95% CI 5.08, 19.79), parents’ helmet use (OR = 2.62, 95% CI 1.22, 5.66) and friends’ helmet use (OR = 0.16, 95% CI 0.07, 0.37) emerged as significant predictors of the likelihood of helmet use. The relatively low helmet use prevalence points to an urgent need for a multipronged campaign, including strategies such as raising awareness, educating primarily parents and friends, and distributing bicycle helmets for free or at a reduced cost.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1080/17457300.2013.835323
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/17457300
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission of Taylor & Francis.
• Authors:
  • Secginli, Selda
  • Cosansu, Gulhan
  • Nahcivan, Nursen O
• Publication Date: 2014-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: References;
• Pagination: pp 367-375
• Serial:
  • International Journal of Injury Control and Safety Promotion
  • Volume: 21
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: Taylor & Francis
  • ISSN: 1745-7300
  • EISSN: 1745-7319
  • Serial URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/nics20

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bicycle helmets; Cross sectional studies; Helmet use; Parents; Questionnaires; Safety education; School children
• Geographic Terms: Istanbul (Turkey)
• Subject Areas: Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01548744
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 23 2014 12:10PM