Investigation of the reasons for not using helmet among motorcyclists in Kerman, Iran

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to investigate reasoning and interpretation of motorcyclists for not using helmet utilizing qualitative methodology of ‘grounded theory’. The field of the study was Kerman, a cultural-historical city at the south-east of Iran. Participants were 21 young male motorcyclists. Two sampling strategies were used: maximum variation and snowball sampling. To collect data, in-depth, open-ended interviews were conducted. Data analysis yielded seven categories: fatalism; a barrier to social relationships; peer group pressure and negative labelling; messing up the appearance; disturbance in hearing and vision; barrier to normal breathing; and heaviness and superfluity of helmet. Based on the findings of the current study, it could be concluded that socio-cultural contexts, motorcyclists’ worldview and partly helmet-related problems are of the main factors which affect motorcycling. Therefore, the studies, policy-makings, and intervening programmes to control injury and to promote safety among motorcyclists should be focused on socio-cultural barriers to helmet use in general and changing the motorcyclists’ standpoints toward fatalism in particular. Helmet-related problems should be considered, too.

KEYWORDS:

• Iran
• socio-cultural context
• motorcyclist
• helmet use
• barriers

Acknowledgments

This study was conducted as part of a research project funded by the Research Office of Kerman Police. Any idea expressed in the article is the authors’ and not necessarily representative of the funding organization.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Research Office of Kerman Police.