Cycle helmet ownership and wearing; results of a survey in South Staffordshire.

BACKGROUND Despite increasing evidence indicating that wearing cycle helmets can reduce the severity of head injuries, particularly in children, there is a paucity of local data on cycle helmet ownership and wearing rates. These data together with an understanding of the factors which influence these rates are important in developing appropriate health promotion programmes. METHOD The objectives were to (1) establish patterns of cycle helmet ownership and wearing rates, and (2) determine factors influencing these rates. A descriptive survey involving a self-completed questionnaire was undertaken and a series of focus groups were also established. The setting was two high schools and four primary schools in each of the six boroughs or district councils within South Staffordshire involving 932 Year 6 and 2005 Year 10 children. RESULTS The response ratio was 70.9 per cent from Year 6 and 80.9 per cent from Year 10, giving an overall response rate of 77.8 per cent. Most children (86.6 per cent) rode a bicycle and of these 42.8 per cent owned a cycle helmet. Just over a third (36.8 per cent) of Year 6 cyclists wore a helmet always or nearly always, compared with 13.7 per cent of Year 10 cyclists. Although the protective effect of cycle helmets was appreciated, many children did not see themselves as being personally at risk, particularly on short journeys. The appearance and comfort of the helmet appeared to be stronger factors influencing the uptake of helmets compared with cost. Both year groups were similarly concerned with comfort, but Year 10 children appeared more concerned with appearance than Year 6 children. CONCLUSIONS Cycle helmet ownership and wearing is still disappointingly low, especially amongst older children. The factors influencing patterns of ownership and wearing are numerous and the interrelationships between them are complex, requiring a co-ordinated approach from a range of agencies. Cycle helmet legislation should be considered by the Government.