Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards compliance of helmet use among motorcycle drivers in Kinondoni, Dar Es Salaam

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction Motorcycle injuries constitute a major but neglected emerging public health problem in developing countries including Tanzania and are a common cause of road traffic injuries. Prevalence of death and injuries due to motorcycle accidents in Tanzania is a significant public health issue. In Tanzania, death due to motorcycle crash makes 26% among all road users and Dar es Salaam being the mostly affected region where 54% of all motorcycle accidents in Tanzania being reported. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge, attitude and practices towards compliance of helmet use among motorcycle drivers at Kinondoni in Dar es Salaam. Materials and methods Cross sectional study design was used to assess knowledge, attitude and practices towards compliance of helmet use among motorcycle drivers at Kinondoni district in Dar es Salaam region. Social demographic, knowledge, altitude and practices information was collected from 388 motorcycle drivers towards compliance of helmet use in Kinondoni Dar es Salaam. The collected data was descriptively analyzed using SPSS computer software package. Results This study shows high level of knowledge, positive? Attitude towards compliance of helmet use among motorcycle drivers at Kinondoni district in Dar es Salaam city. The reported knowledge and attitude is associated with awareness of safety measure, and realizing the benefit of compliance of helmet use which shows p-Value of less than 0.05, suggesting strong association between knowledge, attitudes and compliance of helmet use.

Conclusion: There is high level of knowledge, positive attitude towards compliance of helmet use among motorcycle drivers in Dar es Salaam. The study also revealed high awareness of safety measures and benefits of using helmets among motorcycle drivers. Therefore, continued education is needed among motorcyclists and general population on the importance of using helmet when using motorcycles.