Helmet Use Among Two-Wheeler Riders’ Road Accident Victims in Benin

Hounkpè Dos Santos, Bella; Kpozehouen, Alphonse; Glèlè Ahanhanzo, Yolaine; Daddah, Donatien; Levêque, Alain; Coppieters, Yves · 2022 · Crossref

DOI: 10.1007/s44197-022-00077-x

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Summary

This study investigates the prevalence and determinants of helmet use among two-wheeler riders involved in road accidents in Benin, a country where motorcyclists account for over half of all traffic accidents. Despite legal mandates requiring helmet use, compliance remains inconsistent. The research aims to describe the characteristics of accident victims and identify specific individual and environmental factors influencing helmet adoption to inform targeted safety interventions. The researchers conducted a prospective cross-sectional study using data from the TraumAR cohort, which enrolled 1,871 consenting road accident victims between July 2019 and January 2020. The final analysis focused on 977 subjects who were driving two-wheeled vehicles at the time of their accident and for whom helmet status was recorded. Data were collected from five referral hospitals across three regions in Benin. Variables included individual demographics (gender, age, marital status, employment, driving experience, insurance coverage) and environmental conditions (road type, pavement condition, visibility, weather). Statistical analysis involved univariate comparisons and multivariate binary logistic regression to identify independent predictors of helmet use. The results indicated that 81.1% of the study participants were wearing helmets at the time of the accident. Multivariate analysis identified six significant factors associated with helmet use. Female riders were 2.8 times more likely to wear helmets than males. Riders traveling for professional purposes were 1.7 times more likely to wear helmets than those on private trips. Driving experience was a strong predictor; those with 15–20 years of experience were 2.6 times more likely, and those with over 20 years were 3.4 times more likely to wear helmets compared to those with less than eight years of experience. Possession of health insurance increased the likelihood of helmet use by 3.7 times. Environmental factors also played a role: riders on roads in good condition were 3.1 times more likely to wear helmets, and those with good visibility were 1.9 times more likely to do so. Conversely, 72.9% of non-users cited discomfort or hair disruption as reasons for not wearing helmets. The study concludes that helmet use in Benin is influenced by a combination of individual experience, risk perception, and environmental conditions. The strong association with driving experience and health insurance suggests that familiarity with risk and financial security promote protective behavior. The findings imply that public health interventions should move beyond general enforcement to address specific barriers, such as helmet comfort and the perception of risk in varying road conditions. The authors recommend strengthening law enforcement, improving road quality, and tailoring awareness campaigns to account for the demographic and experiential factors identified, particularly targeting male riders and those with less driving experience.

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Topics

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• helmet protective
• cyclist safety

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• Empirical Findings: observational prevalence