title: Current helmet and protective equipment usage among previously injured ATV and motorcycle riders.
abstract: Injury recidivism among trauma patients may be related to an individual pattern of high risk behaviors. The extent to which an injury episode modifies this behavior pattern is unknown. A self report, voluntary, anonymous, cross sectional survey was administered to motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riders at a popular recreation site. Data included demographics, injury history, and current usage of helmet and protective gear. Two hundred eighty surveys were completed. History of ATV/motorcycle related minor and major injury were reported by 21% and 9%, respectively. Persons with a history of minor ATV/motorcycle injury only were less likely to use a helmet or protective equipment (78% v 74%, p = 0.58 and 49% v 41%, p = 0.29). Persons with a history of any major ATV/motorcycle injury were also less likely to use a helmet or protective equipment (77% v 56%, p = 0.03 and 48% v 40%, p = 0.53). These findings suggest a pattern of persistent high risk behavior among previously injured persons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA. rmangus@iupui.edu
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Mangus
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Simons
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Jacobson
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Streib
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Gomez
mesh_terms: D000057:Accident Proneness; D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006260:Head Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009049:Motorcycles; D015541:Off-Road Motor Vehicles; D011481:Protective Clothing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012309:Risk-Taking; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology