Citation

Farley C, Laflamme L, Vaez M. J. Epidemiol. Community Health 2003; 57(9): 668-672.

Affiliation

Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/jech.57.9.668

PMID

12933770

PMCID

PMC1732585

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To assess the impact of a community based bicycle helmet programme aimed at children aged 5-12 years (about 140,000) from poor and well off municipalities. METHODS: A quasi-experimental design, including a control group, was used. Changes in the risk of bicycle related head injuries leading to hospitalisation were measured, using rates ratios. RESULTS: Reductions in bicycle related head injuries were registered in both categories of municipalities. Compared with the pre-programme period, the protective effect of the programme during the post-programme period was as significant among children from poor municipalities (RR= 0.45 95%CI 0.26 to 0.78) as among those from richer municipalities (RR=0.55 95%CI 0.41 to 0.75). CONCLUSION: Population based educational programmes may have a favourable impact on injury risks in poor areas despite lower adoption of protective behaviours.