Effect of different helmet types in head injuries: A case-control study in northern Ghana

Anthony Baffour Appiah, Patricia Akweongo, Samuel Oko Sackey, Martin Tangnaa Morna, Ernest Kenu, Alexis Dun Bo Ib Buunaaim, Samual Akobour Yaw Debrah, Thomas K. Ojo, Peter Donkor, Charles N. Mock

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background Motorcycle helmet use is low in Ghana and many helmets are non-standard. There are limited data on the effectiveness of the different helmet types in use in the real-world circumstances of low-income and middle-income countries. This study assessed the effect of different helmet types on risk of head injury among motorcycle crash victims in northern Ghana. Methods A prospective unmatched case-control study was conducted at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH). All persons who had injuries from a motorcycle crash within 2 weeks of presentation to TTH were consecutively sampled. A total of 349 cases, persons who sustained minor to severe head injury, and 363 controls, persons without head injury, were enrolled. A semistructured questionnaire was used to interview patients and review their medical records. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate odds for head injury. Results After adjusting for confounders, the odds of head injuries were 93% less in motorcyclists with full-face helmet (FFH) (adjusted OR, AOR 0.07, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.15) or open-face helmet (OFH) (AOR 0.07, 95% CI 0.04, 0.13), compared with unhelmeted motorcyclists. Half-coverage helmets (HCH) were less effective (AOR 0.41, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.92). With exception of HCH, the AORs of head injury for the different types of helmets were lower in riders (FFH=0.06, OFH=0.05 and HCH=0.47) than in pillion riders (FFH=0.11, OFH=0.12 and HCH=0.35). Conclusion Even in this environment where there is a high proportion of non-standard helmets, the available helmets provided significant protection against head injury, but with considerably less protection provided by HCHs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)50-55
Number of pages6
JournalInjury Prevention
Volume29
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 5 Oct 2022

Keywords

  • Health Education
  • Helmet
  • Motorcycle
  • Traumatic Brain Injury

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