IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 14, Issue 2 Ver. I (Feb. 2015), PP 120-124 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0853-14214120124 www.iosrjournals.org 120 | Page Perception and Practice of Helmet Use among Motorcycle Riders in a Semi-Urban Community in Southwestern Nigeria O.A Olakulehin 1 , A.A Adeomi 2 , O.Oakanbi 1 , C.J Itie 1 , O.O Olanipekun 1 , O.Silori 1 . 1 Department Of Surgerylautech Teaching Hospital Ogbomoso, Oyo State. 2 Department Of Community Medicine Lautech Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State. Abstract: In middle and low-income countries, motorcycles form a common means of transport. Motorcyclists form a significant proportion of people who are affected by road traffic accidents. Regarding risk factors for motorcycle injuries, the non-use of helmet has been identified as a specific factor leading to headinjuries and fatalities resulting from motorcycle crashes.Negative attitudes towards helmet use among other factors explain the reason behind the reported low rate of use. World Health Organizationrecommended exploring local attitudes and beliefs about helmet use as a primary step in designing effective programs for increased helmet use among riders. This study was set out to help in understanding various perceptions that motorcyclists in a sub urban area of SouthwesternNigeria have about the use of helmets and their practices. Survey questionnaires which contain questions regarding demographics, perception and practice of helmet use were used to gather information from randomly selected motorcyclists. Although most participants (88.9%) agreed that helmet is truly protective but more than three quarter don’t have helmet on their motorcycle and more than half have never used helmet before, however more than half of them have been educated on helmet use at one time or the other. Further study is recommended to identify measures that can be put into place to approximate the wide gap between the knowledge and perception of helmet use and the actual practice of it among the motorcyclists. Keywords: Motorcyclists, helmet, perception, practice, prevention. I. Introduction In middle and low-income countries, motorcycles form a common means of transport (1). Motorcyclists form a significant proportion of people who are affected by road traffic crashes. The reason behind the reported increase in number of commercial motorcycles is the fact that motorcycles are sold at relatively cheaper prices than other vehicles and good earnings from the motorcycle taxi business encourages more people especially youths to join this business (2). Regarding risk factors for motorcycle injuries, the non-use of helmet asbeenidentified as a specific factor leading to head injuries and fatalities resulting from motorcycle crashes. Injuriesto the head, following motorcycle crashes, are a common cause of severe morbidity and mortality (3) (4). Helmet as a protective measure has been identified to be effective towards head injury prevention (1) and reduces the fatality of motorcycle riders. (5) The fatality risk is reduced by 34% 6 . To be protected from head injury, motorcyclists need to consistently and properly wear helmets according to the prescribed standards. However, non-consistent use of helmet has been evident in several studies. It has been shown that motorcyclists are likely to put on helmets when they are driving on the highways (7) (8) (9) travelling on a long trip (10)and if they anticipate meeting a traffic police (7) (11) during the day rather than night hours and during weekdays rather than weekends (12) Arguments against helmets for motorcycle riders include the possibility that they increase the risk of neck injuries in crashes (13) and could decrease rider visibility. Negative attitudes towards helmet use (12) among other factors; explain the reason behind the reported low rate of use (14) (15). Some reasons for non-adherence and non-use of helmet include feelings of discomfort due to heat during the hot weather, and lateral vision and hearing ability impairment (12). However it has been shown that helmets do not impair hearing ability and the lateral vision can be complemented by lateral head rotation 16 . In its 2006 publication,the World Health Organization recommended exploring local attitudes and beliefs about helmet use as a primary step in designing effective programs for increased helmet use among riders (1) This study was set out to help in understanding various perceptions that motorcyclists in a sub urban area of Southwestern Nigeria have about the use of safety helmets and their practice of it in order to ensure appropriate behavioural change and curb the increasing number of fatalities due to motorcycle crashes.