ASSESSING CERVICAL SPINE INJURY RISKS IN HELMETED AND NON-HELMETED MOTORCYCLE RIDERS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Road traffic accident riders are a major risk to public health especially in developing countries; majority of riders experience head and cervical spine injuries. While use of helmets is recommended to minimize head injuries their practicality in shielding cervical spine injuries is still rather disputed. This particular aspect will be examined in this study among the patient at MMC Mardan.

Objectives: This study aims to determine and compare the various chin cervical spine being suffered by motorcyclists with and without helmet through analyzing the patients of the Orthopedic Department of MMC Mardan between 05- September 2021- to 05- September 2022.

Study Design: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Place and duration of Study. Department of Orthopedic MMC Mardan the duration from 05- September 2021- to 05- September 2022.

Materials & Methods: This Cross sectional study conducted on 100 cases of suspected cervical spine injury motorcycle accidents patients admitted in MMC Mardan. Sampling was cross-sectional; data were obtained from patient charts, questionnaires, and from radiographic investigations. Data and variable collected therefore included demographic characteristics, the use of helmet, type of injuries sustained, and clinical status of the patients. Descriptive analysis and chi-square test and a logistic regression model were used to determine the relationship between helmet usage and cervical spine injuries Description of data was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22.

Results: out of 100 patients, 60% n-60 had cervical spine injures. Out of 100 we found that 60 of the motorcycle users were riders who wore helmets while 40 were riders who did not wear helmets. In the final analysis, the findings also revealed a statically significant difference in the proportion of overall injuries for the two groups through the results of the chi-square tests – those equaled to 0. 05 (p< 0. 05). Logistic regression revealed that non-helmeted riders were 1. 8 times more likely to sustain cervical spine injuries than helmeted riders (OR: The specific goal was to demonstrate that the new program of interventions would reduce the number of missed mammograms by at least 1. 8 times (estimate=1. 8; 95% CI: 1. 2-2. 7).

Conclusion: It is crucial to note that use of helmet bring down the possibility of sustaining cervical spine injuries to riders by a significant percentage. These results highlighted in this study are in favor of strict laws regarding helmet use, plus public sensitization to increase safety measures and lower rates of motorcycle injuries. These findings present the need for future Study to consider helmet design modifications that will afford the best levels of protection.