Prevalence and factors associated with effective helmet use among motorcyclists in Mysuru City of Southern India

Setty, Naveen Kikkeri Hanumantha; Sukumar, Gautham Melur; Majgi, Sumanth Mallikarjuna; Goel, Akhil Dhanesh; Sharma, Prem Prakash; Anand, Manasa Brahmanandam · 2020 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.1186/s12199-020-00888-z

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Summary

This study addresses the critical public health issue of road traffic injuries, specifically focusing on the prevalence and determinants of "effective helmet use" among motorcyclists in Mysuru, a tier-II city in Southern India. While helmet laws exist, previous research often conflated any helmet use with proper protection. This paper defines effective helmet use as wearing a standard, full-face helmet that is firmly fastened, a configuration proven to offer the greatest protection against head injuries and death. The motivation stems from the high proportion of motorcycle-related deaths in India and the varying efficacy of different helmet types and usage patterns. The researchers conducted a cross-sectional roadside observational study at four high-traffic intersections in Mysuru during August 2016. Three trained observers recorded data for 3,499 motorcyclists (2,134 riders and 1,365 pillion riders) over 28 days, observing traffic for 90 minutes daily during peak hours. They categorized helmet use into any, standard, full-face, proper (standard and firmly strapped), and effective (standard, full-face, and firmly strapped). Additionally, a random sample of 129 riders was interviewed to assess demographic factors, helmet purchasing behavior, and enforcement experiences. Multivariate logistic regression was employed to identify factors associated with effective helmet use. The results revealed a low prevalence of effective helmet use, with only 28.1% of all motorcyclists (34.5% of riders and 18.1% of pillion riders) meeting the criteria. Effective use was significantly higher among female riders (51.3%) compared to male riders (26.8%), though female pillion riders showed lower compliance (13.7%) than male pillion riders (30.5%). Multivariate analysis identified two significant predictors of effective helmet use: commuting to work or school (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 8.3; 95% CI 2.3–30.5) and having been stopped by police for helmet checks in the past three months (adjusted OR 4.4; 95% CI 1.4–14.1). Most riders prioritized quality and certification when purchasing helmets, yet many spent less than 500 INR, often acquiring non-standard or improperly fitted gear. The study concludes that despite legal mandates, effective helmet use remains low in Mysuru, driven by cost constraints, lack of awareness regarding proper fastening, and inconsistent law enforcement. The authors emphasize that strict and frequent police enforcement is necessary to improve compliance. They recommend a multi-pronged approach including stringent regulations against non-standard helmets, subsidies for affordable standard helmets, and innovative behavior change communication strategies. The findings highlight the need to distinguish between mere helmet presence and effective protection, particularly for pillion riders who exhibit significantly lower compliance rates.

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• helmet protective

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• Empirical Findings: observational prevalence