[Can physicians efficaciously promote the purchase of bicycle helmets?].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of physician intervention in the purchase of bicycle helmets.


METHODS
Randomized single-blind controlled trial; randomization by clusters.


METHODS
July 11, 1992, cycling path in Beauport, Quebec.


METHODS
Non-helmeted cyclists riding alone and groups of two to six cyclists in which at least one member was not wearing a helmet were invited to participate in the study; 274 individuals or groups of cyclists (total n = 485 cyclists) were randomized for the study.


METHODS
For the study group a physician handed out and explained the Canadian Medical Association's (CMA) pamphlet on bicycle helmets. This pamphlet includes a discount coupon for the purchase of a helmet. All of the participants in both the study group and the control group completed a questionnaire, including queries about sociodemographic characteristics, name, and telephone number.


METHODS
Proportion of previously non-helmeted cyclists purchasing a helmet within 2 to 3 weeks of the intervention.


RESULTS
Telephone contact was made with 340 of the 416 non-helmeted cyclists (from 224 groups of cyclists). Of the 174 cyclists who had received a CMA pamphlet, 13.8% (n = 24) had purchased a helmet, compared to 3.0% (n = 5) of the 166 control group cyclists (RR = 4.6, 95% CL = 1.8-11.7). Similar results were achieved by cluster analysis of cyclists.


CONCLUSIONS
Physician intervention using the CMA pamphlet could be effective in promoting the purchase of bicycle helmets.
Département de médecine familiale de l'Université Laval, Québec.
M
M
Labrecque
L P
LP
Dostaler
A
A
Houde
J
J
Boissonneault
M
M
Grimard
A
A
Paradis
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001642:Bicycling / Q000293:injuries*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005260:Female; D006260:Head Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010174:Pamphlets; D010819:Physician's Role; D015397:Program Evaluation; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control
Les médecins, peuvent-ils efficacement promouvoir l'achat de casques de vélo?