The prevalence of motorcycle helmet use from serial observations in three Mexican cities

Abstract

Motorcycle use as a functional and recreational means of transportation is increasing in Mexico; the associated mortality rate has also increased. Appropriate helmet use can reduce a motorcyclist's risk of death or serious injury. This study quantified the prevalence of motorcycle helmet use in three Mexican cities (Cuernavaca, Guadalajara-Zapopan, and León) within the context of several ongoing road safety initiatives. Four rounds of roadside observations were conducted between November 2010 and April 2012. The overall prevalence of helmet use was 73.8% among all users; helmet use was much lower among females (55.3%). Drivers tended to use helmets more frequently than passengers (76.3% vs. 51.6%). The prevalence was higher in León (85.9%, 95% CI = 84.8–87.0) than Cuernavaca (71.5%, 95% CI = 69.3–73.6) and Guadalajara-Zapopan (62.7%, 95% CI = 61.1–64.2). Helmet use decreased in León (p = 0.003) but increased in Guadalajara-Zapopan (p = 0.000) during this period. Motorcycle helmet use could be improved in all three cities. Since motorcycle use is increasing, interventions targeting motorcycle users and greater enforcement of helmet use are necessary to reduce crashes and non-fatal and fatal injuries.

Keywords:

• motorcycle helmet use
• Mexico
• road traffic injury
• LAC
• head injury

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the following persons for their critical assistance in this study: Francisco Mojarro-Íñiguez (Cuernavaca), José Carlos de la Peña (Guadalajara–Zapopan), and Juan L. Solórzano-Vidal (Cuernavaca). We also thank Juan Daniel Vera-López and Lourdes Gómez-García for assisting with data entry, management, and analysis.

Additional information

Funding

These data were collected as part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Road Safety Program (formerly ‘RS-10’) in Mexico. The study sponsors played no role in the study design, analysis of information or interpretation of data.