ABSTRACT:
Objective:
To analyze the effect of helmet use on injury severity among motorcyclists and passengers involved in traffic accidents.
Methods:
Cross-sectional study of traffic accidents involving motorcyclists attended at the emergency healthcare units participating in the Violence and Accidents Survey Conducted in Sentinel Emergency Departments (Viva Survey) 2017.
Results:
There was a predominance of individuals aged 18 to 29 years old (46.6%), black (75.2%), with high school education (50.6%). Alcohol use was observed in 14.1% of cases. Helmet use was associated with a 76% reduction in the occurrence of head trauma and a 28% reduction in the referral, hospitalization or death.
Conclusion:
Young, male, black individuals and those with low education were the most frequent victims of accidents. Helmet use was protective for severe injuries.
Keywords:
External causes; Traffic accidents; Health surveys; Ambulatory care; Patient acuity; Motorcycles