Motorcycle Helmet Use in Vietnam: Prevalence, Barriers to Use and Policy Implications

Aims

  1. estimate the prevalence of helmet use in motorcycle riders in the Hai Duong province of the Red River delta region of Vietnam
  2. examine current policies aimed at reducing motorcycle injuries and promoting motorcycle helmet use in Vietnam
  3. identify barriers of helmet use among motorcycle riders
  4. study the prevalence of risky behaviours among motorcycle drivers
  5. make recommendations to increase motorcycle helmet use in Vietnam

Methods

A cross-sectional on-site observational survey design has been implemented in order to estimate the prevalence of helmet use based on a random sample of the road hierarchy. The estimates have been obtained adjusting for the time of day, day of week and the season (summer, winter).

Beyond this, a random sample of interviews with riders and pillion passengers is proposed to identify barriers to helmet use along with obtaining determinants of risky driving behaviour.

Finally, an extensive review of government policies related to motorcycle helmet use will be undertaken.

Status/Results

The cross-sectional observational surveys were completed in December 2005 and the findings were published in the journal Injury Prevention. The project is now near completion. Additional papers have been accepted for publication and are currently in press.

Publications

  • Hung DV, Stevenson MR, Ivers RQ. Prevalence of helmet use among motorcycle riders in Vietnam. Inj Prev 2006;12:409-413.

Institute Investigators

Collaborators

Funding Agencies