Search

Worldwide, 1.24 million deaths and 20-50 million road crash injuries occur annually, with a disproportionate burden on low- and middle-income countries. Facing continued growth in motorized vehicles, Cambodia has begun to address road safety, including the creation of a nationwide road crash surveillance system, the Road Crash and Victim Information System (RCVIS). This study evaluates the RCVIS to understand whether road crash injuries are being monitored efficiently and effectively and to identify areas for improvement.We used the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "Guidelines for Evaluating Public Health Surveillance Systems" (CDC 2001) as an evaluation framework. To assess system attributes, we conducted in-person interviews with Cambodian road safety stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministries of Health and Interior, and reviewed RCVIS annual reports and system operation documents. Characteristics assessed include usefulness, flexibility, acceptability, sensitivity, representativeness, data quality, and timeliness.The Cambodian government uses RCVIS data extensively for road safety planning purposes. RCVIS participation varies by type of data source, with 100 percent of police districts and 65 percent of hospitals reporting in 2010. Representativeness over time is a limitation-between 2007 and 2008, the number of reporting hospitals decreased from 65 to 42. From 2007 to 2010, the number of nonfatal injuries reported to RCVIS decreased by 35 percent, despite rapid growth in vehicle registrations. The system is timely, with annual reports disseminated within 10 months to more than 250 stakeholders.The RCVIS provides a strong foundation for the surveillance of road crash injuries and fatalities in Cambodia. Differences in participation by data source and reduced hospital participation over time affect data representativeness and may indicate issues with acceptability. Recommendations include working with hospitals to standardize reporting procedures and to increase awareness about the usefulness of the data they collect.

Motorcycle fatalities are increasing at an alarming rate in many South-East Asian countries, including Cambodia. Through brief face-to-face roadside interviews in Phnom Penh and four other Cambodian provinces, this article assesses Cambodian motorcyclists' attitudes, behaviours and beliefs related to motorcycle helmets. Out of 1016 motorcyclists interviewed, 50% were drivers, 40% were older passengers and 10% were child passengers. More drivers (50%) reported consistently wearing helmets, compared with older passengers (14%). Saving their life in the event of a crash was the impetus for drivers and older passengers to wear a helmet (96% and 98%, respectively). The top barriers to helmet use were: (1) 'depends on where I drive,' (2) 'I forget' and (3) 'inconvenient' or 'uncomfortable'. These descriptive findings were instrumental in shaping the Cambodian Helmet Vaccine Initiative passenger campaign to reduce the motorcycle-related injuries and fatalities to support the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety.

Background Motorcycle-related road traffic injuries are a significant contributor to the burden of disease in low- and middle-income countries. To reduce this risk, helmet use has been proven an effective method. Aims/Objective/Purpose Given an increase in motorcycle use in Cambodia, this study aims to assess the current status of helmet use, as well as the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of use among motorcyclists. Methods Helmet observations were conducted in Phnom Penh, Kandal, Kampong Speu, Siem Reap, and Kampong Cham to assess the current status of helmet use. In addition, roadside knowledge, attitudes, and practice interviews were also conducted in Phnom Penh, Kandal, and Kampong Speu to determine prevailing beliefs. Results/Outcomes Though awareness of the benefits of wearing a helmet is high, actual helmet use remains low. Daytime usage is higher than nighttime (45% vs 32% across all study sites in January 2012), and these proportions are significantly higher among drivers than among passengers (ratio of 8.2 : 1.0). Among those interviewed in 2011, 55% said that use of a helmet depends on where they drive. The top three reasons for always wearing a helmet included: lifesaving potential, legal duty, and police fines. Helmet quality, price, style, and colour were also important factors influencing the decision to purchase a helmet. Significance/Contribution to the Field The results of this study will be used to assist with better planning and implementation of injury prevention strategies and to address the continuing need to improve the proportion of all-day helmet wearing, especially at night and among motorcycle passengers in Cambodia.

Background As the number of motorcyclists in Cambodia increases, so do motorcycle-related injuries. Injuries decrease as helmet use increases. Campaigns addressing this issue will be more effective if they are based on prior knowledge and barrier of helmet use. Aims/Objectives/Purpose To determine the prevalence of helmet use and reasons for non-use among motorcycle riders in Cambodia. Methods We conducted helmet observations and roadside interviews in five Cambodian provinces. Results/Outcomes Trained researchers observed helmet use for drivers of 71.4% at 9:00, 68.2% at noon, 62.7% at 17:00, and 47.8% at 19:00. For passengers, researchers observed rates of 6.6% at 9:00, 7.9% at noon, 6.3% at 17:00, and 4.7% at 19:00. Most drivers and passengers older than 16 years who reported that they regularly wear a helmet said they do so because it can save their life (96% and 98%, respectively). The most common reasons for not consistently wearing a helmet were: (1) 'factors that depend on where I drive,' (2) 'I forgot', (3) 'inconvenient/uncomfortable'. We found that 91% of riders get their road safety information from the television. Parents reported their children do not regularly wear a helmet because they are 'too young' (37%) or they are 'riding close to home in their neighborhood' (17%). Significance/Contribution to the Field Helmet use varied greatly between drivers and passengers by time of day. As a result of these data, we have launch a television campaign focused on passengers and emphasising the importance of wearing a helmet anytime they are on a motorcycle. This is an abstract of a presentation at Safety 2012, the 11th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, 1-4 October 2012, Michael Fowler Center, Wellington, New Zealand. Full text does not seem to be available for this abstract.