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A municipal helmet policy for children is associated with increased helmet use

A municipal helmet policy for children is associated with increased helmet use. Jacqueline Willmore, MPH Epidemiologist May 27, 2014. Overview. Background Objectives Methods Results Conclusions Implications. Background. Feasibility study 2009-2010

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A municipal helmet policy for children is associated with increased helmet use

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  1. A municipal helmet policy for children is associated with increased helmet use Jacqueline Willmore, MPH Epidemiologist May 27, 2014

  2. Overview • Background • Objectives • Methods • Results • Conclusions • Implications

  3. Background • Feasibility study 2009-2010 • Children <10 have the highest rate of head injuries related to ice skating • Only 6% of children were wearing a helmet when head injury occurred • Helmet policies are effective • 80% of children and 96% of parents of children said they would still participate

  4. January 2012 “…all customers aged 10 and under, as well as all weak or non-skaters of any age to wear a multi-impact CSA approved helmet during City of Ottawa public skating session.”

  5. Media launch with Mayor • New policy signs in arenas • Rink board banners • Helmet discount coupons • Training for staff • Ongoing initiatives

  6. Objective • Evaluate effects of the new helmet policy on: • Helmet use • Public skating attendance • Attitudes toward helmet use

  7. Methods • Pre- (2011) vs. post-policy (2013) design • Observations of helmet use in 10 arenas • Age group • Sex • Type of helmet • Electronic attendance from 10 arenas • Intercept surveys at 10 arenas

  8. Results • Observations: • Pre: 550 skaters at 10 arenas • Post: 470 skaters at 11 arenas

  9. p<0.05 Skaters wearing a helmet by age group, 2011 vs. 2013

  10. p<0.05 Increases in both sexes

  11. Appropriate type of helmet improved p<0.05

  12. Attendance did not change

  13. Conclusions • A municipal helmet policy for children attending indoor recreational skating is associated with increased, appropriate helmet use

  14. Implications • Indoor skating helmet policies are a feasible component of a comprehensive approach to injury prevention • Opportunity for collaboration between public health, parks and recreation and others • Continue normalization of helmets

  15. References 1. National Ambulatory Care Reporting System, ER Visits 2004-2008. Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Provincial Health Planning Database, 2010. Available from: http://ophid.scholarsportal.info/details/view.html?q=bill&uri=/phirn/phpdb_PHIRN_e.xml (Accessed July 2010). 2. Hospital Inpatient Data 2004-2008. Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, 2010. Available from: https://www.intellihealth.moh.gov.on.ca/SASPortal/mainUnchallenged.do?unchallenged=yes (Accessed July 2010). 3. Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program database 2002-2007. CHEO. Public Health Agency of Ottawa, 2013. Available from: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/injury-bles/chirpp/index-eng.php (Accessed July 2009). 4. Karkhaneh M, Kalenga JC, Hagel BE, Rowe BH. Effectiveness of bicycle helmet legislation to increase helmet use: a systematic review. Inj Prev. 2006Apr; 12(2): 76-82. 5. Policy for Mandatory Helmet Use During Public Skates. Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department. City of Ottawa 2011. Available from: http://ottawa.ca/en/residents/parks-and-recreation/drop-activities/public-skating-descriptions (Accessed February 27, 2014).

  16. Acknowledgements • Colleen O’Mahony-Menton, Ottawa Public Health • Staff from Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services • Dr. Michael Vassilyadi, University of Ottawa, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, and ThinkFirst

  17. Thank you! • Jacqueline.Willmore@ottawa.ca • Questions?

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