Abstract:

Introduction: Motorcycle are growing popular mode of transportation and fastest-growing group of vehicles in sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the world. Despite of the fact that it simplifies means of transportation, Motorcycle riders contribute 28% of road traffic accidents globally, however the percentage varies according to regions. Wearing helmets among motorcycle riders reduce the risk of and severity of road traffic accident greatly. Commercial motorcyclists are at more risk of accidents than drivers of other vehicles. This is due to the fact that in a bid to maximize their daily earnings, they often drive against traffic and beat traffic lights, a situation that exposes them to accidents. The study aimed at establishing the reasons for non-compliance of helmet use among motorcycle riders at Nyamagana district, Mwanza, Tanzania.

Objectives: To determine prevalence and factors associated with non-compliance of motorcycle helmet use among motorcycle drivers in Nyamagana

Methodology: This was a cross section study which was conducted at Nyamagana district in Mwanza that included commercial motorcyclist in Nyamagana whom were found at their centres during the time of data collection, who agreed to participate on the study. Random sampling procedure used to select participants. The survey questionnaire used to collect data. The questionnaire had questionnaire regarding demographics and factors associated with non-helmet use. A 5-item Likert scale used. Data coded and entered into SPSS software version 20 for management and analysis. Descriptive statistics used to express means and nominal as percentages. Chi square test employed in measuring the relationship between binary variables.

Results: A total of 239 motorcycle drivers met the inclusion criteria and consented to participate in the study. The mean age was 30 with percentage, followed by less than 27 years and less group of people involving are the group above 37. The gender met during the study are all male that are involving with the business with a total number of 239. Marital status, married are about 44% and single are 43.9% but also those separated from their marriages they make about 11.7% in the sample population. On education level the most group that involves with the business is secondary education of about 54.9%. From the study populations, we that found that 27.2% is the prevalence of non-helmet use among motorcycle drivers in nyamagana. factors assessed to look as the reasons for not wearing helmets among motorcycle drivers 239 from nyamagana. 34.4% use alcohol out of 100%, and have licence about 15.9% out of 100% don’t have licence. Also 6.3% out of 100% don’t have helmets. The number of duration of experience involving with the activity is between 2-5 year with the highest percentage 51.9%, followed by experience of more than 5 years which has 35.1% in a study sample. Also according to different occasions, it shows people don’t wear helmets when they don’t anticipate meeting police by percentage of 36.8%, followed by when taking a short trip by percentage of 27.2% and not wearing during the hot weather by percentage 19.7%, and others. Also according to different conditions people don’t wear helmet due to unconfotability by 33.9, followed by no police around by 20.9%, and others.

Conclusion: Non-compliance of helmet use among motorcyclists is the big challenge in nyamagana as well as our country at large since it predisposes severe head injury that usually causing significant morbidity and mortality. The tendency of not wearing commonly done when motorcyclists don’t anticipate to meet police and use the chance as the point of weakness, and other many reasons that have been explained above. Strengthening of police officers by good distributions along the roads and proper education to motorcyclist may reduce the number of non-compliance among them and that may reduce the burden of related injuries and deaths.