Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of the Motorcyclists of Bojnourd Regarding using Helmets

Traffic crashes are the most common causes of serious fatal injuries in all age groups. Yet, motorcyclists are known as the roads high risk group because of being exposed to most damages. Considering the crucial importance of wearing helmets in reducing motorcyclists’ death, the present study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude, and performance of motorcyclists in Bojnourd regarding utilization of helmets. In this cross-sectional study, 360 motorcyclists were selected from different fuel stations of Bojnourd in 2012. The data were collected using a questionnaire including demographic characteristics and information regarding knowledge, attitude, and performance. Then, the data were entered into the SPSS statistical software (v. 16) and analyzed using one way ANOVA and T student test. The mean age of the motorcyclists was 30.06+1.12 years. Besides, 55.4% of the motorcyclists did not have driver’s license and 52.8% did not use helmets. The motorcyclists’ mean score of knowledge was 14.28+2.38 out of 17 and that of attitude was 30.90+4.03 out of 50. The results of one-way ANOVA showed a significant relationship between knowledge and attitude and age, marital status, occupation, level of education, place of residence, and having driver’s license. However, no significant relationship was found between knowledge and attitude and history of accident in the past 12 months. Considering the fact that using helmets has preventive effects on death and severity of injuries and that the present study motorcyclists had moderate knowledge and attitude in this regard, authorities are required to plan for increasing the society’s level of knowledge regarding utilization of helmets.