Objectives: This study was intended to compare the rates of motorcycle helmet use in Mueang District, Chiang Mai, Thailand during March – June 2003, a time of standard law enforcement and no health promotion campaign to increase helmet use and the same time in 2004, during increased law enforcement and a campaign to increase helmet use. A secondary objective of the study investigated the rates of head injuries as a result of motorcycle accidents during these two time periods to evaluate the effect of increased helmet use.
Methods: Data were collected from Suan Dok hospital emergency room records for March through June 2003 and the same months for 2004. Cases were selected if they were seen in the emergency room as a result of a motorcycle accident during this time period. Information collected included sex and age, whether the patient reported wearing a helmet, if the patient was the driver or a passenger, date, time and location of the accident, location of injuries and treatment, and the collision opponent. Additional information was obtained from the hospital admissions database for those patients that were admitted to the hospital: discharge status and blood alcohol concentration if available.
Results: The results of the study indicate that there has been an increase in the number of motorcycle accident victims that report wearing helmets and a reduction in the number of head injuries to motorcyclists as a result of the intervention. In addition, the results show a decrease in the number of motorcycle accident victims that are admitted to the hospital as a result of a motorcycle accident.
Conclusions: The enhanced enforcement and the health promotion campaign effectively increased the rates of helmet use and decreased the rate of head injuries. A sustained effort by law enforcement and a variety of public and private organizations are needed to maintain the increased rates of helmet use.
From this poster, the audience will learn how the social ecological approach can bring about the desired behavior change and how the integration of research and practice can be enhanced.