Helmet Wearing and Traumatic Brain Injuries Among Motorcyclists in Cotonou

Abstract

Background: traumatic brain injury is a real health problem, especially in low-income countries. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of helmet wearing on primary injuries in motorcycle trauma. Methods: this was a cross-sectional study from 1st January to 31st December 2013. It covered all motorcycle users, admitted in emergency at Cotonou National Teaching Hospital, with a traumatic brain injury. Epidemiological variables and primary lesions were identified. Statistical analysis was performed with Chi2 and Fischer’s tests; a p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: we collected 310 patients (57.9% of traumatic brain injury), 11 of whom wore a helmet. They were predominantly male (male to female ratio =7.6), with a mean age of 33.2 ± 10.9 years. Craftsmen (24.4%) were the most affected. The head trauma was often opened (172 cases / 299) in patients without helmet compared with 4 cases / 11 in patients with helmet (p = 0.001). Similarly, primary lesions were often more severe in patients without helmet, with a large number of primary lesions requiring surgery. Conclusion: helmet wearing significantly reduces the risk of serious primary injuries in motorcyclists in our context. Strict enforcement of mandatory helmet use should reduce the incidence of disabling injuries in our country.