Evaluating the Success of School-Based Helmet Education in Cambodia

Background/Purpose: In Cambodia, motorcycle-related injuries among children are increasing as the number of motorcyclists increases. Motorcycle and bicycle helmets mitigate the damage inflicted as a result of road crashes. The Cambodia Helmet Vaccine Initiative's (CHVI) school-based program, Helmets for Kids (HFK), distributes helmets and delivers education to address this issue.

Methods: At four primary schools, we conducted roadside student helmet observations two weeks before and again two days after the helmet hand-over ceremony. Over 1,800 helmets were given to students. For two schools, data were collected 10-12 weeks later. Researchers collected data on helmet wearing rates among students on bicycles and motorcycles.

Results: In all four schools, no students were wearing helmets prior to the helmet hand-over ceremony. Immediately following the ceremony, helmet wearing rates increased in all schools (ranging from 33% to 100% among motorcyclists, and 97% to 100% among bicyclists). Ten to twelve weeks after, one school had a slight decline in helmet use among motorcycle riders (100% to 80%) and one school remained at 100%. Among bicycle riders, both schools had a slight decline in helmet use at the third observation (100% to 89%, 99% to 97%). End-of-school year observations are scheduled, and will be completed within the next several months.

Significance: These preliminary findings show that the HFK approach is successful at increasing helmet wearing among students in Cambodia. It is important for this model and its successes to be shared, replicated, and adapted in other low and middle income countries.