Do motorcycle helmets reduce road traffic injuries, hospitalizations and mortalities in low and lower-middle income countries in Africa? A systematic review and meta-analysis

The burden of injuries associated with accidents involving passengers carried in open bed pickup trucks - a review of 371 patients managed in a major trauma centre in South Africa

INTRODUCTION

Although the transportation of passengers in the open back area of pickup trucks is associated with significant risk of injury, this practice remains ubiquitous in South Africa. This study reviews the spectrum of injury and clinical outcome of these patients in a large city in South Africa The intention of the study is to highlight the inherent dangers associated with the practice and hence provide impetus to legislators and authorities to attempt to restrict and ultimately eliminate this practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a retrospective study conducted over a decade (Jan 2012-Dec 2023) at a major trauma centre in South Africa.

RESULTS

A total of 371 patients were included (male: 53%, mean age: 25 years). The mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 11. The most common anatomical region injured was head, followed by face and thorax. All patients underwent radiological investigations. 15% percent required operative intervention, with laparotomy and wound debridement being the most common. 9% required intensive care unit admission. The mean length of hospital stay was four days. The overall morbidity was 8%. The overall mortality was 4% and 71% of all mortalities were related to severe traumatic brain injury.

CONCLUSIONS

Transporting passengers in the load area of a pickup truck is dangerous and results in preventable morbidity and mortality. Attention should be given in South Africa to developing legislation in order to prevent this activity and to enforce these rules once passed.

Development of an AI-Integrated Smart Helmet for Motorcycle Accident Prevention: A Feasibility Study

Introduction

The purpose of this research was to develop a smart helmet, including emphasizing the AI integration and the device's role in enhancing road safety with a mechanism that stimulates the driver to recognize which vehicle is approaching and the speed levels of the vehicle while it is moving, and to assess the satisfaction and feasibility of drivers while using the smart helmet.

Methods

This study included 139 participants who were general people in Thailand. The research model consists of four research and development steps: research, design and development, implementation, and evaluation. The questionnaires included general information, satisfaction, and feasibility of using a smart helmet.

Results

The study showed that males had a greater number of participants (63.31%), aged between 21 and 40 years (64.03%), higher education (73.38%), and most of the participants were university students (90.64%). Overall, satisfaction with using smart helmets was high (mean = 4.20, SD = 0.83), and the overall possibility of using smart helmets was very high (mean = 4.33, SD = 0.75).

Conclusion

The participants' reflections indicated that smart helmets can be a possibility for further development and are highly feasible practical application devices. Moreover, the smart helmet is beneficial to riders in terms of warning functions to prevent and monitor accidents. Nurses and health care providers may use these results to develop programs or devices that can encourage people to be aware of harm on the road while riding motorcycles.

Analyzing the Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) among Motorcyclists in Bangladesh

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire involving 402 motorcyclists from four major southeastern towns, comprising 350 (86.07%) males and 52 (12.93%) females. The chi-square test was applied in bivariate analysis, and binary multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine the risk factors of road traffic crashes.

Results

This study's findings revealed that the overall reported prevalence of road traffic crashes involving motorcycle drivers over one year was 68.66%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed several factors that significantly impacted road traffic crashes. These factors included driving without a valid driving license, the young age (<20) of motorcyclists, driving in rainy weather, exceeding the speed limit, per-week working hours, smoking status, motorcycle ownership, the brand of motorcycle, and not wearing a helmet while driving.

Conclusion

The study findings highlight the need for improving motorcycle safety by implementing measures such as imposing per-week work hour limits for riders, enforcing traffic regulations, and promoting helmet use among motorcycle drivers. The results of this study draw attention to the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) and motorcycle drivers in the country to decrease motorcycle crashes and the severity of injuries by implementing efficient guidelines and strategies for driving motorcycles. The findings of this study can assist policymakers and concerned authorities in taking the essential steps to lessen road traffic crashes among motorcyclists in Bangladesh.

Road traffic injuries in Tanzanian children and adolescents: A cross-sectional household survey

OBJECTIVE

To measure annual rates of road traffic injuries (RTI) and to describe the characteristics of road traffic crashes experienced by children and adolescents in Tanga, Tanzania.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional household survey using geospatial population-weighted sampling in the city of Tanga in northern Tanzania. Data were collected in February and March of 2022. We report 12-month rates of road traffic crashes and RTI (reported by adult caregivers) among children and adolescents <18 years of age.

RESULTS

A total of 2,794 adult respondents reported data on 6563 children and adolescents, among whom, 180 were reported to have experienced road traffic crashes in the past 12 months (crash incidence: 27.4 per 1,000 children, 95%CI 23.5-31.4) and 158 sustained injuries (RTI incidence: 24.1 per 1000 children, 95%CI 20.4-27.8). Almost a quarter of RTI (23%) were reported to be major (resulting in ≥30 days of missed activities). RTI was higher among adolescents (13-17 years) than children <5 years (21.5 vs. 14.1 per 1,000, p=0.039). Few children always or sometimes wore helmets when riding on motorcycles/motorbikes (12.8%) or wore safety restraints/seat belts in cars or other vehicles (11.9%).

CONCLUSION

The high rate of road traffic crashes and RTI observed among children and adolescents in a medium-sized city in Tanzania underscores the urgent need to improve road safety and increase use of safety equipment in low resource settings.

Global, Regional, and National Burden of Road Injuries from 1990 to 2019

(1) Background: Understanding occurrence can help formulate effective preventative laws and regulations. However, the most recent global burden and road injuries (RIs) trends have not been reported. This study reports the burden of RIs globally from 1990 to 2019. (2) Methods: RIs data were downloaded from the Global Burden of Disease 2019. Incidence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) described the trend and burden of RIs. We calculated age-standardized rates (ASRs) and estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) for the above indexes to evaluate the temporal trend of RIs. We evaluated the social-demographic index (SDI) with epidemiological RI parameters and reported proportions of age-standardized rates due to RI. (3) Results: In 2019, the global incidence of RIs reached 103.2 million. The EAPC of RI incidence increased, whereas deaths and DALYs decreased. Age-standardized incident rate (ASIR) was highest in low-middle SDI regions, age-standardized death rate (ASDR) was high in middle SDI regions, and age-standardized DALYs increased in low SDI regions. The highest accident rates were found in those aged 20-24 years old. Cyclist injuries were the leading RIs (34%), though pedestrian and motor vehicle accidents were the leading cause of death (37.4%, 37.6%) and DALYs (35.7%, 32.3%), respectively. (4) Conclusions: Over the past 30 years, RIs incidence increased annually, though death and DALY rates decreased. RIs places a considerable burden on public health in low SDI countries. Data should be used to develop and implement effective measures to reduce the burden of RIs.

Implementation of a model of awareness-raising for taxi motorcyclists in Benin in relation to helmet use: a quasi-experimental study

Background

This study aims to test the effectiveness of an awareness-raising model designed based on the theory of planned behaviour regarding helmet use for motorcycle taxi drivers.

Methods

This quasi-experimental study took place in the cities of Parakou (intervention group) and Porto Novo (control group). Over a three-month period, a package of awareness-raising activities, based on the theory of planned behaviour, have been implemented in the intervention area. Data relate to knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding helmet use was collected prospectively before the intervention, at the end, and 6 months later. Stata 15 was used for data analysis. Chi-square or Fisher, Student’s or Kruskal-Wallis tests was carried out. The difference-in-difference method was used to determine the specific effect of the awareness activities.

Results

After the intervention, there was an improvement in the total score in both groups compared to baseline. The total score increased by 0.2 (0.06–0.3) in the experimental group when the number of sessions attended increased by one (p = 0.005). The difference-in-difference estimator measured among subjects who attended at least one awareness session, controlling for socio-demographic variables, showed a significantly higher difference in the total score of subjects in the experimental group compared to those in the control group both at the end of the interactive sessions and 6 months later.

Conclusion

This model improves the helmet-wearing behaviour of motorbike taxi drivers in the experimental area. It could be adapted and applied to other socio-professional groups and other types of users.