Awareness level of safe driving knowledge and practice of specific population drivers: behavioral assessment and educational intervention

PURPOSE

This study aimed to assess car-driving behaviors and attitudes and to measure the changes in the knowledge and behavioral practices associated with road safety measures of 1333 randomly selected young-adult participants (aged 18-24 years) from Jazan University in Gizan city, Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

Data were collected using cross-sectional survey and quasi experimental pre- and post-evaluation educational intervention study including structured questionnaire and take-home educational material.

RESULTS

Results revealed that low compliance with the safety index significantly increased the risk of traffic injuries by 20% [OR = 0.80, 95% CI = (0.59-1.01)]. Whereas the medium category of the safety compliance index is significantly associated with an increasing number of injuries by 6% [OR = 0.94, 95% CI = (0.61-1.52)]. In contrast, both high and medium categories of risk behavior index increased the risk of traffic injuries [OR = 1.08, 95% CI = (0.82-1.43); OR = 0.80, 95% CI = (0.57-1.10), respectively]. Some improvement in risky behavioral practices was seen after the intervention including 'not playing loud music' [86.3%, (P = 0.05)], 'not using mobile phones' [89.4%, (P < 0.05)], and 'not using unprofessional checkups of the car' [71.5%, (P < 0.05)].

CONCLUSION

Ultimately, this unpleasant situation may recommend avoidance of these kinds of intermittent awareness programs; instead, embedding a continuous road safety learning within the life-long educational system as a better and more realistic intervention for reducing the number of road accidents and injuries. Further, establishing various modes of high-capacity city-link public transportation remains among the most recommended strategic and effective options that can curb road traffic injuries in the long run.

Evaluation of an integrated multisector campaign to increase child helmet use in Vietnam

OBJECTIVE

This study presents child helmet use before, during and after implementing the Vietnamese National Child Helmet Action Plan (NCHAP) and evaluates its effect on child helmet use. The NCHAP, an integrated multisector campaign, incorporated a wide-scale public awareness campaign, school-based interventions, increased police patrolling and enforcement, and capacity building and support to relevant government departments in target provinces.

METHODS

In Vietnam's three largest cities, 100 schools in 20 districts were selected to monitor motorcycle helmet use behaviour. The effectiveness of the NCHAP was measured by unannounced, filmed observations of student motorcycle passengers and their adult drivers as they arrived or left their schools at four points. Baseline observations at each school were conducted in March 2014, with subsequent observations in April 2015, December 2015 and May 2016.

RESULTS

Across the 84 218 observed students, student helmet prevalence increased from 36.1% in March 2014 to 69.3% immediately after the initiation in April 2015. Subsequent observations in December 2015 and May 2016 showed a reduction and stabilisation of helmet use, with 49.8% and 56.9% of students wearing helmets, respectively. Helmet use in students was higher when adult drivers were also wearing helmets.

CONCLUSIONS

Integrated multisectoral interventions between governments, civil society and the corporate sector that incorporate communications, school-based education, incentives for change and police enforcement have the potential to increase helmet use among children. Future integrated campaigns may be more effective with an increased focus on parents and other adult drivers given their potential influence on child helmet use.