Determinants of Helmet Use by Motorcyclists in Qom using the Protection Motivation Theory

Head and neck injuries are the major causes of mortality and injury among motorcycle riders and the use of helmets plays an important role in preventing such injuries. However, according to the current statistics, the status of helmet use is not desirable among the Iranian motorcyclists.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 326 motorcycle riders in Qom in 2017. To collect the participants, we used the relative classification sampling method. The data collection tool was a two-part researcher-made questionnaire. The first part contained demographic characteristics with eight items and the second part included 45 questions regarding the performance of motorcyclists in using helmets based on the PMT constructs. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS18 using one-way ANOVA, independent t-test, Pearson correlation, and linear regression analysis. Findings: The mean and standard deviation of the participants' age was 32.79 ± 11.95 years. The results of linear regression analysis showed that the perceived severity (β=0.12, p=0.012), self-efficacy (β=0.55, p<0.001), response efficacy (β=0.12, p=0.013) and perceived rewards (β=0.09, p=0.037) could predict 50 percent of the protection motivation changes in motorcyclists (R2=0.50, F= 46.14, p<0.001). Moreover, the protection motivation explained 21 percent of behavioral changes in motorcyclists' use of helmets (R2=0.21, F= 86.90, p<0.001).

The results of this study indicate that PMT constructs form a suitable framework for examination of helmet use among motorcyclists. Furthermore, interventions that increase motivation in drivers can enhance their protective behavior.