Helmets! All the pros wear them
M. Puczynski and D. A. Marshall
Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Pennsylvania, Allegheny.
OBJECTIVE--To assess the outcome of a multidisciplinary community campaign
to increase helmet use and determine the success of a school education and
helmet distribution program. DESIGN--Survey research. SETTING--Large
metropolitan area and two elementary schools. PARTICIPANTS--Five hundred
representative families in a metropolitan area and students enrolled in two
elementary schools. INTERVENTIONS--A 1-year-long regional media campaign
and a helmet distribution program in one elementary school after 4 weeks of
safety instruction. RESULTS--Evaluation of the community component 1 year
after initiation of the campaign revealed a 23% awareness of the promotion.
Factors associated with wearing a helmet in the community included higher
income levels, higher level of education, and male sex. The school
component survey revealed that 73% of the children in school A reported
helmet use vs 23% in school B. This multifaceted approach to affect helmet
use demonstrated variable success in our community. CONCLUSION--This
campaign effort achieved its greatest success in promoting community
awareness of the importance of helmet use. However, further studies need to
be performed to determine the success of the school education and helmet
distribution program.
