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Affiliation
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a Department of Pediatrics , Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University , Hat Yai, Songkhla , 90110 Thailand. |
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Abstract
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BACKGROUND: In Thailand, road-traffic injuries are the leading cause of death of youth ages 15-19 years with 80% of the injuries and deaths from motorcycle accidents.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of child and young adolescent motorcyclists in Hat Yai municipality and their risk behaviors.
METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2011 and March 2012 in which 2,471 students, ages 8 to 18 years, recruited from 9 primary and secondary schools in Hat Yai municipality. The questionnaire included questions on being a motorcycle rider or passenger, risky behaviors and helmet use while riding.
RESULTS: Of the total, 1,573 (63.7%) were riders and 898 (36.3%) were pillion passengers. The majority of the riders younger than 15 years rode their motorcycle mainly only in narrow streets for a short trip. Only 30% of the riders wore a helmet every time they rode a motorcycle. About 10% of the participants riding or being a passenger on a motorcycle had consumed alcohol at least once before riding their motorcycle. Multiple logistic regression analysis found that motorcycle injuries were significantly associated with speeds greater than 60 km/hr, not wearing a helmet while riding and alcohol consumption before riding (odds ratios 1.63, 1.59, and 3.09, respectively).
CONCLUSION: Nearly two-thirds of young adolescents in Hat Yai municipality were motorcycle riders. These young adolescents were at risk of traffic injuries as more than 50% of them had ridden at high speed, or not worn a helmet while riding, and some of them had consumed alcohol before riding.
Language: en |