Evaluation of a school-based peer leader bicycle helmet intervention.
OBJECTIVE
Bicycle-related injury remains a major cause of death and injury hospitalization among Australian children. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a whole-school intervention to increase the correct wearing of bicycle helmets by primary school children.


METHODS
A randomized intervention trial was conducted in 27 Western Australian primary schools. A major component of the intervention was a peer-led classroom curriculum for 10-12 year old children. Helmet use by cyclists was observed as children were leaving school at baseline (May 2000) and after the first year and second year of the intervention. A cohort of 10-11 year old children in study schools completed a self-administered questionnaire at the same three data collection points.


RESULTS
Over the 2 years of the study, observed helmet wearing rates declined by 13% in the control group (from 93% at baseline to 80% at post-test 2) and by 5% in the intervention group (from 89% to 84%) (F = 1.745, p = 0.185). Among the Grade 5/6 cohort students who were regular riders, the likelihood of reporting always wearing a helmet was 1.9 times higher at post-test 1 (z = 2.51, p = 0.012) and 1.7 times higher at post-test 2 (z = 2.13, p = 0.033) for the intervention group than the control group students who did not always wear a helmet at baseline.


CONCLUSIONS
The data suggest that school-based activities can arrest the rate of decline in helmet use by children. Using peer teachers is a useful strategy to engage students in normative-based protective behaviours. The logistical challenges this strategy presents appear to be worth the outcomes.
Hall
Margaret
M
Child Health Promotion Research Unit, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia. m.hall@ecu.edu.au
Cross
Donna
D
Howat
Peter
P
Stevenson
Mark
M
Shaw
Thérèse
T
D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001642:Bicycling / Q000293:injuries*; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D006260:Head Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D008297:Male; D010379:Peer Group; D016730:Program Development; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires