engleski

Schoolchildren and bicycle helmet use in Croatia

In spring 2003 a survey was carried out among the schoolchildren at primary schools in Zagreb, Varaždin, and Samobor. A total of 546 schoolchildren attending fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth grades, at the age between 10 to 15 years were surveyed.A comparison of the towns regarding the ownership of bicycles has shown that there are slightly more bicycles (91.5%) in Samobor than in the other two towns, but the difference is not statistically significant. However, when analysing the number of helmets per town then the results have shown that Zagreb children are the most frequent helmet-wearers (17.8%) while Samobor takes the last place (5.6%). The difference in helmet ownership in the observed three towns has proven to be statistically significant ( 2=15.01, df=2, p=0.0005). Positive knowledge about wearing the cycle helmet (experienced riders need helmet, helmet has to be worn also on less busy streets, helmet must be worn also on cycle lanes, laws on helmet-wearing are positive, even riding near the home requires wearing a helmet) has been noticed in Zagreb and Varaždin, whereas such knowledge in Samobor is insufficient – more than half of the examinees answered these questions incorrectly. The answers to questions regarding helmet-wearing and head protection (wearing a helmet may save lives, this is a good method of head protection) have shown more knowledge in case of the Samobor schoolchildren - 100% (Varaždin 91%, 92.4 ; Zagreb 87.7%, 81.1%, respectively). Negative attitudes regarding helmet-wearing (other children laugh when they see you wearing a helmet, the helmet takes the fun out of cycling, helmets do not fit well) are less emphasised in Varaždin (30.5%, 28.8%, 27.8%) and Zagreb (30.0%, 40.0%, 34.1%), whereas being very strong in Samobor (88.7%, 100%, 76.4%).

schoolchildren; bicycle; helmet; attitudes; knowledge; bicycle related injuries

nije evidentirano