Prevention of bicycle-related injuries in childhood: role of the caregiver.
To assess perceptions of bicycle-related head injuries, helmet use, and safety practices, we had questionnaires distributed to caregivers of 2,500 children in the third through sixth grades; 1,006 (40.2%) completed surveys were returned. Eight hundred thirty-two caregivers (82.7%) indicated that they had a child cyclist in their household; approximately 65% responded that they believed head injury was likely if their child was involved in a bicycle mishap. A majority (approximately 70%) also said that a bicycle helmet may prevent head injury in between 25% and 75% of all occurrences. Yet 758 (91.1%) students did not own or have access to a bicycle helmet. Among the caregivers whose child did not have a bicycle helmet, 530 (69.9%) stated that they had never thought about purchasing one. Caregivers of both helmeted and nonhelmeted youngsters indicated concern for bicycle safety (100% versus 94%, respectively). Most caregivers (approximately 64%) stated that they would encourage their child to attend a bicycle safety camp. These findings suggest that caregivers perceive the dangers associated with bicycling but are not cognizant of available programs and methods that prevent the risk of serious injury to bicyclists.
Jones
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CS
Health Studies Department, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa 35487-0312.
King
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W
Poteet-Johnson
D
D
Wang
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MQ
D000056:Accident Prevention; D001290:Attitude; D001642:Bicycling / Q000293:injuries*; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006260:Head Protective Devices; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D012380:Role; D012449:Safety