Prevalence of and barriers to

Passenger helmet use in Cambodia Co-authored by AIP Foundation, Handicap International, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention, and University Ca’ Foscari VenicePresentation to IUHPE 21st World Conference on Health Promotion by Pagna Kim, August 2013

Centers for

Disease Control

and Preventio

n*

Asia Injury Prevention Foundation

Image: Hosted on Flickr

Mission: To provide life-saving traffic safety knowledge and skills to the developing world with the goal of

preventing road traffic crash fatalities and injuries.

Background

Research objective

Methods

Results

What we’re doing now

Presentation

Background

• In the last five years, the number of motorcycle-related fatalities in Cambodia increased by 61%

• Motorcycle users make up two-thirds of road crash fatalities, three-quarters of which are the result of serious head injuries

• Helmets are mandatory for drivers but not passengers

• Observed helmet wearing rates for motorcycle drivers are nearly 10 times greater than for passengers

• A draft passenger helmet law is under review by the Cambodian government

The Problem

Helmets = Vaccine

69%

42%

Reduces risk of

severe head injury

by:

Reduces risk of

fatality by:

↓ ↓

Appropriate Helmet Use

Cambodia:• An estimated 348 lives were saved• 1,595 serious injuries prevented• Savings totaled $33 million USD

Legislation works: Case studies

Khon Kaen Province, Thailand:

• Head injuries among motorcyclists decreased by 40%

• Motorcycle-related deaths dropped by 24%

Vietnam:• 12% reduction in fatalities• 24% decrease in injuries

Universal helmet laws combined with enforcement and support by the public can significantly increase helmet use and reduce road

traffic injuries

To determine prevalence and use of helmets among passengers, gauge barriers to

passenger helmet use, and assess attitudes toward a passenger helmet law in Cambodia

Research objective

• 806 roadside interviews with motorcyclists in three provinces

• 632 household interviews with parents in two provinces

Methods

Results

• 55% of motorcyclists reported to rarely or never wear a helmet as a passenger

• Almost one-third of parents reported that their children never wear a helmet when riding on a motorcycle

Reported helmet use

• Short travel distance (51% of roadside interviewees)• He/she is too young (31% of parent interviewees)

Barriers to helmet use

Support for mandate

• 98% of motorcyclists reported support for a passenger helmet legislation

• 97% of parents supported a mandatory helmet law for children

What we’re doing now

Advocacy

v

vOn January 10, 2013, AIP Foundation submitted a joint policy

recommendation entitled, “motorcycle passengers, including children, must wear helmets,” to the Minister of Public Works and Transport and Chairperson of the National Road Safety

Committee.

AIP Foundation, the Coalition for Road Safety (CRY), and Handicap International (HI) are jointly issuing the policy recommendation.

Raising awareness

vThe policy recommendation has

been:• published in leading newspapers• discussed and shared at the

Radio Talk Show, National Road Safety Week, and other events

Thank You!

AIP Foundation Headquarters18bis/21 Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street

Da Kao Ward, District 1Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Website:  www.asiainjury.org

AIP Foundation Cambodia Office#18BEo, Street 348

Sangkat Toul Svay Prey I, Khan ChamkamornPhnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia

Email: pagna.kim@aipf-cambodia.org

*The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.