02760nas a2200409   4500000000100000008004100001100001000042700001300052700001500065700001400080700001500094700001600109700001600125700001300141700001300154700001300167700001400180700002300194700001900217700001300236700001300249700001400262700001300276700002000289700003200309700001200341700001500353700001900368700002200387700001800409700002200427700001700449700001600466700001300482245010400495520175100599       2012                            d1 aYu J.1 aHyder A.1 aGururaj G.1 aAckaah W.1 aAfukaar F.1 aAgyemang W.1 aT. Anh Thuy1 aHejar A.1 aAbdul G.1 aElisa H.1 aMartha H.1 aInclán-Valadez C.1 aKulanthayan S.1 aPeden M.1 aOdero W.1 aOwoaje E.1 aRajam K.1 aJ. Razzak Abdul1 aA. Sangowawa Oluwafunmilola1 aShah J.1 aLe Tuan P.1 aN. Van Anh Thi1 aVan der Putten M.1 aVajanapoom N.1 aVichit-Vadakan N.1 aYellappan K.1 aRadin Umar.1 aNorton R00aThe use of non-standard motorcycle helmets in low- and middle-income countries: a multicentre study3 a<p>
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.
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