A Systematic Review on Epidemiology and Promotion of Motorcycle Helmet Use in Thailand

Abstract

Background. Road traffic accidents are the fourth leading cause of death in the entire population, and the first among the youth (ages 15-19 years) in Thailand. The situation in Thailand is worse than in neighboring low- to middle-income countries in the Southeast Asia region. Seventy-three percent of the deaths in the country are motorcycle drivers or passengers. Although motorcyclists (both drivers and passengers) have been obligated to wear helmets by law, the prevalence of helmet use nationwide is not high (43.7% in 2010). Methods. We performed a systematic review to examine potential social determinants of helmet use behavior (observational studies) and to summarize previous intervention studies to promote helmet use (interventional studies) in the country. Studies were identified in PubMed and Web of Science, and by additional review of Thai-written literature. Results. We identified 16 relevant studies for social determinants of helmet use and 5 relevant studies for promoting helmet use in Thailand. Our review shows that several factors such as teens and children (age), women (gender), rural areas (geography), and alcohol drinking (interaction with another behavior) are associated with non-helmet use. We also identified 4 interventional studies implemented in Thailand: 1 law enforcement program and 4 community-based educational programs. Although all the studies improved the prevalence of helmet use after the interventions, only 2 studies exceeded 50%. Conclusion. There is consistent evidence that being younger, being a woman, living in non-Bangkok areas, and drinking alcohol are associated with non-helmet use among motorcycle users in Thailand. We also observed that the effect of past intervention programs is limited.