Subjective Preference of New Prototypes Safety Helmets Device among Palm Oil Plantation Harvesters in Sandakan, Sabah

@#Introduction: Safety helmets are one of the personal protective equipment (PPE) that to decrease the impact of any falling object to the skull and to avoid head and brain injury by many industries, including palm oil plantation. Nevertheless, the level on the usage of the current safety helmet is very low due to a few factors that lead to the discomfort. Among the common issues for the non-compliance of safety helmets are their discomfort, ventilation, weight and safety. This study aims to determine subjective preference of the new prototypes’ safety helmets device among palm oil plantation harvesters. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted among 124 harvesters in three palm oil plantations located in Sabah, Malaysia. A set of questionnaires used to collect data on their socio-demographic background, perceptions toward existing safety helmets and their subjective preference of new safety helmets prototypes. Apart from that, six harvesters were randomly choosing to attend an interview session for qualitative study. Results: The descriptive analysis indicate that among the emphasized issues regarding non-compliance of existing safety helmet were due to discomfort (66.1%), poor ventilation (97.6%), load of safety helmet (83.3%) and safety issues (68.5%). In terms of new safety helmets prototypes, 72.6% of the harvesters preferred Design C to be worn for work in the plantation. Conclusion: It can be suggested that the existing safety helmet is uncomfortable and was not design ergonomically namely loose size and discomfort. Design C was the most preferred to be worn for work in the palm oil plantation.

Factores asociados al uso del casco de protección en dos ciudades de Colombia / Factors associated with the use of motorcycle helmets in two Colombian cities

Resumen El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar la prevalencia y algunas características asociadas al uso de casco en dos ciudades en Colombia; se usaron tanto técnicas cuantitativas como cualitativas. La prevalencia de uso de casco en conductores de motocicleta fue mayor en Ibagué (98,1%) que en Valledupar (82,4%); en pasajeros de Valledupar no fue superior a 2%. Los hombres tuvieron 2.1 veces más posibilidad de usar el casco que las mujeres (IC 95: 1,6-2,7). Con las técnicas cualitativas se identificaron factores que explicaron los motivos de uso/no uso del casco (higiénicas, climáticas, estéticas y de seguridad) en Valledupar. El casco es una medida que protege ante un siniestro vial; no obstante, la prevalencia de uso no es la ideal. Es importante que las autoridades de tránsito, salud y la sociedad civil se organicen para diseñar y aplicar medidas orientadas para fortalecer el uso de este elemento de protección personal.

Abstract The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence and some characteristics associated with the use of motorcycle helmets in two Colombian cities. The researcher used quantitative and qualitative techniques. The prevalence of the use of a motorcycle helmet among motorcyclists was greater in Ibague (98.1%) than in Valledupar (82.4%); among passengers in the city of Valledupar, it did not reach 2%. Men were 2.1 times more likely to wear helmets than women (IC 95:1.6-2.7). Using qualitative techniques, the factors explaining the reasons for use/non-use of helmets (being hygienic, climatic, esthetic and safety reasons) were identified for Valledupar. The use of the helmet is a protective measure in the event of traffic accidents; however, the prevalence of usage is not ideal. It is important for traffic and health authorities as well as the civil society to organize, in order to design and implement measures aimed at strengthening the use of this road safety gear.

Motorcycle related cranio-maxillofacial injuries at a tertiary hospital in the Philippines

@#<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>OBJECTIVE:</strong> To describe the type and determine the number of motorcycle related cranio-maxillofacial injuries that were seen by the ORL service in the emergency room of a tertiary hospital from January 2013 to December 2013.<br /><strong>METHODS: </strong> <br /><strong>Design:</strong> Cross sectional retrospective chart review<br /><strong>Setting:</strong> Tertiary National University Hospital<br /><strong>Participants:</strong> One hundred nine (109) charts of patients seen atr the emergency room from Jnuary 2013 to December 2013 were reviewed<br /><strong>RESULTS:</strong> Of the 109 charts of patients involved in vehicular accidents, there were 76 documented cases of motorcycle related accidents. Of these, 91% involved males and 9% involved females. Seventy one percent (71%) did not wear helmets of whom 36% were young adult males between the ages of 18-30 years. Those that wore helmets had a total of 27 different facial fracture sites: 19% zygomatic tripod fractures, 15% temporal bone fractures and 11% with no fractures noted. Among those who did not wear helmets 75 fractures were noted. Twenty four percent (24%) were tripod fractures, 15% temporal bone fractures and 12% maxillary fractures. only one did not incur any fractures.<br /><strong>CONCLUSION:</strong> Most cranio-maxillofacial fractures seen at the emergency room were from motorcycle related injuries (70%). Despite implementation of Republic Act 10054 (The Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009) majority of motorcycle-related accidents are still incurred by riders without helmets.</p>

Helmet CPAP versus Oxygen Therapy in Hypoxemic Acute Respiratory Failure: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

PURPOSE: The efficacy of helmet continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in hypoxemic acute respiratory failure (hARF) remains unclear. The aim of this meta-analysis was to critically review studies that investigated the effect of helmet CPAP on gas exchange, mortality, and intubation rate in comparison with standard oxygen therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) by searching the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, OVID, and CBM databases, and the bibliographies of the retrieved articles. Studies that enrolled adults with hARF who were treated with helmet CPAP and measured at least one of the following parameters were included: gas exchange, intubation rate, in-hospital mortality rate. RESULTS: Four studies with 377 subjects met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Compared to the standard oxygen therapy, helmet CPAP significantly increased the PaO2/FiO2 [weighted mean difference (WMD)=73.40, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 43.92 to 102.87, p<0.00001], and decreased the arterial carbon dioxide levels (WMD=-1.92, 95% CI: -3.21 to -0.63, p=0.003), intubation rate [relative risk (RR)=0.21, 95% CI: 0.11 to 0.40, p<0.00001], and in-hospital mortality rate (RR=0.22, 95% CI: 0.09 to 0.50, p=0.0004). CONCLUSION: The results of this meta-analysis suggest that helmet CPAP improves oxygenation and reduces mortality and intubation rates in hARF. However, the significant clinical and statistical heterogeneity of the literature implies that large RCTs are needed to determine the role of helmet CPAP in different hypoxemic ARF populations.

The Impacts of Helmet Use on Injuries in Motorcycle Crash Patients in Korea

PURPOSE: To determine the helmet use rate, factors affecting helmet use in Korea, and the effects of helmet use on injuries. METHODS: This is a prospective study with patients who visited two emergency centers in Seoul during 7 months due to accidents that they had while riding a motorcycle. We examined the patients' general characteristics, whether to wear a helmet, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Revised Trauma Score (RTS), Abbreviated Injury Score (AIS) and Injury Severity Score (ISS) on admission, and whether to be hospitalized. In addition, factors such as the patients' position, accident season, day of the week, hour and whether to drink were analyzed to see if they affect helmet use and injuries. RESULTS: A total of 178 patients participated in this study, and 57.3% wore a helmet. Around 20% of patients had head injuries. Head injuries were more frequent in those who did not wear a helmet. According to the result of analyzing factors affecting helmet use, the helmet non-use rate was high in patients whose age was 30 or less and drinkers. For the two groups, the odds ratios for helmet non-use were 2.3 (95% CI 1.2~4.5) and 4.2 (95% CI 1.2~ 15.2), respectively. CONCLUSION: This study shows that helmet use can prevent head injuries in motorcycle patients. Thus, in order to prevent head injuries, helmet use should be increased and, for this, education and regulation on helmet use should be reinforced, particularly for those aged 30 or younger and drinkers.