%0 Journal Article
%T The prevalence and predictors of helmet use by skiers and snowboarders at ski areas in western North America in 2001
%J Journal of trauma
%D 2003
%A Voeks, Jennifer H.
%A Dignan, Mark B.
%A Cutter, Gary R.
%A Scott, Michael D.
%A Walkosz, Barbara J.
%A Andersen, Peter A.
%A Buller, David B.
%V 55
%N 5
%P 939-945
%X BACKGROUND: Helmets may protect the heads of skiers and snowboarders. The prevalence of helmet use by these groups was estimated. METHODS: Helmet use was observed in face-to-face surveys (N = 2,978) on sun protection at 28 ski areas in Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and British Columbia (0.7% refusal rate) from January to April 2001. RESULTS: Helmets were worn by 12.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.0-13.3) of the sample. Use was highest among guests who skied or snowboarded more frequently (fourth quartile vs. first quartile, odds ratio [OR] = 11.998 [95% CI, 6.774-21.251]; third vs. first, OR = 5.556 [95% CI, 3.119-9.896]; second vs. first, OR = 2.186 [95% CI, 1.162-4.112]), were experts (OR = 3.326 [95% CI, 1.297-8.528]), used snowboards (OR = 2.301 [95% CI, 1.731-3.058]), and were more educated (college graduate, OR = 2.167 [95% CI, 1.271-3.695]; some college, OR = 1.969 [95% CI, 1.130-3.431]). CONCLUSION: Helmet use was generally low but may be high enough by experts, snowboarders, and in the central Rocky Mountains to produce a norm stimulating further adoption.
%G 
%I Lippincott Williams and Wilkins
%@ 0022-5282
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.TA.0000078694.53320.CA