{
  "abstract": "Background Motorcycle injuries are a major cause of death in Cameroon and the burden is on the rise. Low personal protective equipment (PPE) use, especially helmets, exacerbates the burden.Objectives This study investigated PPE uptake and determinants among motorcyclists in the crisis-affected Limbe and Tiko Health Districts.Materials and methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 499 commercial motorcyclists aged 18 years and above in all 16 health areas of the Limbe and Tiko Health Districts, Cameroon. Participants were recruited through consecutive sampling at motorcycle pick-up points after obtaining ethical clearance from the University of Buea. Trained research assistants used structured questionnaires to collect data on sociodemographics, riding habits and determinants of PPE uptake. An observational checklist was used to collect data on helmet use. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression to identify factors influencing helmet use among the riders.Results The mean age of the motorcyclists was 32.2 (and the SD was 7.6) years. A total of 242 (48.5%) were within the age range 21–30 years and all the riders were males.The majority of riders were single, 261 (52.3%) and 291 (58.3%) had attended secondary school. The proportion of riders who reported not having a valid motorcycle licence was 339 (67.9%).Among the 499 riders studied, 81.8% used long trousers, 30.1% used boots and 28.6% used helmets. Only 22.7% used gloves and 14.8% used eye glasses. Factors independently associated with helmet use were being married (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.81, 95% CI 0.34 to 7.42, p<0.005), owning a valid license (aOR 1.97, 95% CI 1.22 to 3.19, p=0.006) and being an internally displaced person (aOR 0.83, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.84, p=0.007). Also, having good knowledge of PPE (aOR 3.01, 95% CI 1.60 to 5.65, p=0.001) and being trained on PPE (aOR 2.48, 95% CI 1.61 to 3.84, p=0.000) were significant factors.Conclusions The uptake of PPE is low, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to improve PPE uptake among commercial motorcyclists. The identified determinants of helmet use can inform evidence-based strategies to enhance road safety and reduce the burden of motorcycle-related injuries in this at-risk population.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Public Health and Hygiene, University of Buea Faculty of Health Sciences, Buea, Cameroon"
      ],
      "name": "Chrisantus Eweh Ukah"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Public Health and Hygiene, University of Buea Faculty of Health Sciences, Buea, Cameroon"
      ],
      "name": "Nicholas Tendongfor"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Alan E Hubbard"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Public Health and Hygiene, University of Buea Faculty of Health Sciences, Buea, Cameroon"
      ],
      "name": "Elvis Tanue Asangbeng"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Rasheedat A Oke"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Public Health and Hygiene, University of Buea Faculty of Health Sciences, Buea, Cameroon"
      ],
      "name": "Nahyeni Bassah"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Public Health and Hygiene, University of Buea Faculty of Health Sciences, Buea, Cameroon"
      ],
      "name": "Larissa Kumenyuy Yunika"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Public Health and Hygiene, University of Buea Faculty of Health Sciences, Buea, Cameroon"
      ],
      "name": "Claudia Ngeha Ngu"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Division of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Sandra I McCoy"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA"
      ],
      "name": "S. Ariane Christie"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Public Health and Hygiene, University of Buea Faculty of Health Sciences, Buea, Cameroon"
      ],
      "name": "Dickson S Nsagha"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Surgery and Specialties, University of Buea Faculty of Health Sciences, Buea, Cameroon"
      ],
      "name": "Alain Chichom-Mefire"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Catherine Juillard"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Uptake and determinants of use of personal protective equipment for injury prevention among commercial motorcyclists in Limbe and Tiko health districts of the Southwest region, Cameroon: a community-based cross-sectional study",
  "uid": "df9f3448-9a43-5458-8d9f-1de2fb4ff629"
}