Current status of helmet wearing and motorcyclists’ perspectives on quality helmet in Vietnam

Abstract

Road traffic injury is an important health issue, it causes injury, disability and mortality for many countries globally. In Vietnam, according to road traffic statistics, in the period of 2016 - 2020, there was approximated 8,000 death and 15,000 injured annually. Wearing helmet helps to reduce the risk of severe head injury in case of an accident. The study aimed at exploring the current status of helmet wearing among motorcycles and evaluating knowledge, attitude and practice of quality helmet. Method: cross-sectional design applied, observed 39,046 people and interview 390 people to identify relative factors. The study was conducted from November to December 2021 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Helmet wearing rate was high at 95%, however, cap-helmet still popular, especially in Hanoi at 29.4%. Tropical helmet (half head) and open-face helmet are most used at 80.9%; fulface helmet accounted for smallest number at 4.1%. Most participants recognize quality of helmet based on following indicator: band name and quality stamps. Communication on quality helmet should be emphasized, along with quality ensurance for helmets on the market to improve availability, accessability of quality helmet in the market.