Factors Associated with Helmet Use Among Motorcycle Users in Karachi, Pakistan

This article reports on a study undertaken to estimate compliance and determine reasons for noncompliance with helmet use among motorcyclists in Karachi, Pakistan's largest city. Data collected included personal demographics, frequency of helmet use, reasons for use or nonuse, and knowledge of local helmet laws. Of the 300 (100% male) motorcyclists, 169 (56%) reported using helmets regularly. Users listed injury prevention (78%) as the major reason for compliance, while nonusers listed physical discomfort (44%) and limited vision (25%) as the leading reasons for noncompliance. Analyses of the data showed that helmet users were significantly better educated than nonusers, were more likely to believe that helmets are protective, and that passengers should also wear helmets. Several other variables (such as mean age, marital status, and knowledge of helmet laws) did not differ between users and nonusers. The authors conclude with a discussion of the persistent underuse of helmets by motorcyclists in this community. They call for improved helmet design, public understanding, intense public education, and rigorous law enforcement in raising compliance with helmet use and minimizing the risk of preventable trauma.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/10696563
• Authors:
  • Khan, Imran
  • Khan, Abdullah
  • Aziz, Fatima
  • Islam, Muhammad
  • Shafqat, Saad
• Publication Date: 2008-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 384-387
• Serial:
  • Academic Emergency Medicine
  • Volume: 15
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: Society for Academic Emergency Medicine
  • ISSN: 1069-6563
  • EISSN: 1553-2712
  • Serial URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1553-2712

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Age; Compliance; Crash injuries; Helmets; Highway safety; Laws and legislation; Marital status; Motorcycle helmets; Motorcyclists; Prevention
• Uncontrolled Terms: Injury prevention
• Geographic Terms: Karachi (Pakistan)
• Subject Areas: Highways; Law; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies; Vehicles and Equipment; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor; I84: Personal Injuries; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01108932
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 22 2008 8:42AM