Head Injury Prevention Promotion (June 2003)
Group or Institution
Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec)
Author(s)
Rebecca Caruthers, Amy Lerke, Lorraine Perrson, Layla Rakatau and Chung Yang (Tutor: Betty BLake)
Abstract
This project was undertaken in partnership with Te Whare o Te Ata Community Center to explore the need for education about head injury prevention and helmet use in relation to skateboarding.
Vander (2001) described how around 50% of head injuries resulting from skateboard accidents could have been prevented by the use of helmets.
Two focus groups were held, and attended by rangatahi aged between 12 to 17 years from the Fairfield area.
Some participants stated that they wore safety gear including, elbow and kneepads plus helmets while others said they didn’t. Reasons sited by participants ranged from “I don’t care about safety” to “its outa fashion” and if “you wear a helmet it makes you think you are going to bail” (fall).
Furthers barriers to helmet use related to cost, comfort and what other youth “think of you”.
Project recommendations include the need for rangatahi to be involved in the planning of injury prevention strategies and further that there is a real need to be cognizant of the barriers to helmet use and the risk taking behaviours of youth.
A full copy of the report is available from:
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