Abstract
A cross-sectional observation surveys was carried out among 6 to 12 years old child pillion riders travelling to and from schools by motorcycle. The study focused on prevalence of multiple child pillion riders, to determine the relationship between child pillion riders safety helmet compliance and their seating position and foot peg utilization. A total of 701 riders and 913 school children were observed. Riders safety helmet use rate was significantly higher (66.8%) than as compared to child pillion rider helmet use (14.7%) with OR=11.7 (95%CI 9.2-14.9). It was observed that 29.1% riders were carrying more than one child pillion riders; with female rider are more likely to carry more than one pillion rider (OR=1.6, 95%CI 1.1-2.2). Observation on utilization of foot peg showed that back motorcycle pillion rider (BP) were more likely to use foot peg as compared to middle motorcycle pillion rider (MP) (OR=11.7, 95%CI 7.8, 17.5). Safety helmet use by child pillion rider on the route to school is generally low. Furthermore, there was a significant difference for child pillion rider safety helmet use compliance according to seating position. Children who were seated in the middle are less likely to use safety helmet. Rear child pillion riders had higher chance to utilize motorcycle foot peg. To increase the prevalence of helmet use and safety of children, there is a need for public awareness campaigns on the safety benefits of safety helmets use among school children and ergonomically designed motorcycle while riding.
Highlights
Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death and disability to children [1,2,3]
Of the total numbers of observed child pillion riders’ seat location, 93% of them occupied the seat behind the rider– classified in this study as Back (BP – rearmost child pillion rider, 73.6%) and Middle (MP – any child pillion rider between rider and Back child pillion rider (BP), 19.2%)
The result of this study shows that the safety helmet use rate is relatively, low even with the implementation of the safety helmet regulation
Summary
Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death and disability to children [1,2,3]. Children motorcycle pillion riders have been identified as the top group of traffic-related fatalities among children aged 15 – 18 years old. Children pillion riders are the third leading group of trafficrelated-fatalities among children aged 1-4, 5-9, and 10-14 years old [5]. Proper helmet use significantly decreases the risk of head and facial injuries [7].As motorcycles are commonly family vehicles in Malaysia; children may begin to travel on motorcycles at an early age. As discussed in the previous study [8], the observed difference on the rate of safety helmet use among riders and child pillion riders is statistically significant. Safety helmet use rates of 16.3% and 13.2% were observed for male and female child pillion riders, respectively.
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