TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2013//
TI  - The use of non-standard motorcycle helmets in low- and middle-income countries: a multicentre study
JO  - Injury prevention
A1  - Ackaah, Williams
A1  - Afukaar, Francis K.
A1  - Agyemang, Williams
A1  - Thuy Anh, Trinh
A1  - Hejar, A. R.
A1  - Abdul, Ghaffar
A1  - Gururaj, Gopalkrishna
A1  - Elisa, Hidalgo-Solórzano
A1  - Martha, Híjar
A1  - Hyder, Adnan Ali
A1  - Inclán-Valadez, Cristina
A1  - Kulanthayan, Subramaniam
A1  - Norton, Robyn
A1  - Odero, Wilson W.
A1  - Owoaje, Eme T.
A1  - Peden, Margaret Mary
A1  - Rajam, Krishnan
A1  - Abdul Razzak, Junaid
A1  - Oluwafunmilola Sangowawa, Adesola
A1  - Shah, Jawaid
A1  - Le Tuan, Pham
A1  - Radin Umar, Radin Sohadi
A1  - Thi Van Anh, Nguyen
A1  - Van der Putten, Marc
A1  - Vajanapoom, Nitaya
A1  - Vichit-Vadakan, Nuntavarn
A1  - Yellappan, Kaviyarasu
A1  - Yu, James
SP  - 158
EP  - 163
VL  - 19
IS  - 3
N2  - BACKGROUND: The use of non-standard motorcycle helmets has the potential to undermine multinational efforts aimed at reducing the burden of road traffic injuries associated with motorcycle crashes. However, little is known about the prevalence or factors associated with their use. METHODS: Collaborating institutions in nine low- and middle-income countries undertook cross-sectional surveys, markets surveys, and reviewed legislation and enforcement practices around non-standard helmets. FINDINGS: 5563 helmet-wearing motorcyclists were observed; 54% of the helmets did not appear to have a marker/sticker indicating that the helmet met required standards and interviewers judged that 49% of the helmets were likely to be non-standard helmets. 5088 (91%) of the motorcyclists agreed to be interviewed; those who had spent less than US$10 on their helmet were found to be at the greatest risk of wearing a non-standard helmet. Data were collected across 126 different retail outlets; across all countries, regardless of outlet type, standard helmets were generally 2-3 times more expensive than non-standard helmets. While seven of the nine countries had legislation prohibiting the use of non-standard helmets, only four had legislation prohibiting their manufacture or sale and only three had legislation prohibiting their import. Enforcement of any legislation appeared to be minimal. INTERPRETATION: Our findings suggest that the widespread use of non-standard helmets in low- and middle-income countries may limit the potential gains of helmet use programmes. Strategies aimed at reducing the costs of standard helmets, combined with both legislation and enforcement, will be required to maximise the effects of existing campaigns.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1353-8047
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/injuryprev-2012-040348
ID  - ref1
ER  -