Evaluation of a Four-year Bicycle Helmet Promotion Campaign in Quebec Aimed at Children Ages 8 to 12: Impact on Attitudes, Norms and Behaviours
Overview
Affiliations
Objective: This study evaluated a four-year bicycle helmet promotion campaign.
Methods: Children's attitudes, social norms, intentions to wear a bicycle helmet as well as helmet ownership were measured. Evaluation was based on a pre-experimental static group comparison design repeated at two (1991) and four years (1993) after implantation, with a non-randomized control group. 3,424 students completed a self-administered questionnaire (experimental: 2,097, control: 1,327).
Results: The program had a significant impact on helmet ownership (1989: 4%; 1991: 26%; 1993: 56%). The program was the principal predictor of high intention to use a bicycle helmet. Time was the principal predictor of ownership with exposure to the program being the next predictor.
Conclusion: This study showed that time is an important factor in bicycle helmet acquisition, and that a long-term community-based program can accelerate the process of adopting this behaviour.
Bicycle helmet campaigns and head injuries among children. Does poverty matter?.
Farley C, Laflamme L, Vaez M J Epidemiol Community Health. 2003; 57(9):668-72.
PMID: 12933770 PMC: 1732585. DOI: 10.1136/jech.57.9.668.
Berg P, Westerling R Inj Prev. 2001; 7(3):218-22.
PMID: 11565988 PMC: 1730748. DOI: 10.1136/ip.7.3.218.