Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward helmet use among motorcycle rider and passenger in Ratchaburi Province, Thailand

Abstract

This research was a cross-sectional research aimed at studying the knowledge, attitude, and practice toward helmet use among motorcycle riders and passengers in Ratchaburi Province. The research objectives were to describe and to find factors associated with helmet use. The research samples were those between 18-59 years old who were the motorcycle riders or passengers and had been living in Ratchaburi Province, as well as had their motorcycle use at least twice a week. Total samples were 430. Data collection was done by the use of questionnaire incorporating information on general personal status, on status of motorcycle use and helmet use, on knowledge guideline on helmet use while riding motorcycle, including attitude and practice toward helmet use. Data was collected in February 2012. The statistics in use were descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test and Pearson’s Correlation to find an association between general personal data, knowledge scores, and attitude toward practice in helmet use. The study found that respondents aged were between 40 to 59 years old (24.2%), 50.5% were female, 25.8% were finished their secondary school, 53.5% were occupied as general wage earners, 68.1% had their personal average monthly income in the bracket of less than 10,000 baht. Eighty-seven point two percent had their household income in the bracket of 10,000-50,000 baht. Sixty-six point five percent of the samples used their helmet and majority of the samples were motorcycle riders. Eighty-nine point one percent had their experiences in motorcycling between 1-20 years long and 72.1% used the motorcycles on a daily basis. Eighty-one point nine percent were the samples with their own helmets and 40.1% of them used half-face helmet type. Seventy-six point four percent of the samples used the helmet certified by Thai Industrial Standards Institute and 47.2% of them had the length of helmet use between 3-5 years time. The samples did not experience any accidents in the past one year and those who faced one did not wear their helmet (94.7% and 60.9% respectively). The level of knowledge was moderate and the attitude toward helmet use was positive. The level of practice was divided into good and excellent levels. The result revealed that scores of knowledge and attitude were associated with the practice (p-value <0.05). It was concluded that knowledge and attitude had an effect on practice which can be used in planning and in problem solving regarding ignorance of or awareness on helmet use in motorcycling as public health significance.