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Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique logoLink to Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique
. 1997 Jan 1;88(1):62–66. doi: 10.1007/BF03403862

Evaluation of a Four-year Bicycle Helmet Promotion Campaign in Quebec Aimed at Children Ages 8 to 12: Impact on Attitudes, Norms and Behaviours

Céline Farley 113,✉, Joanne Otis 213, Marie Benoît 313
PMCID: PMC6990174  PMID: 9094808

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluated a four-year bicycle helmet promotion campaign.

Methods: Children’s attitudes, social norms, intentions to wear a bicycle helmet as well as helmet ownership were measured. Evaluation was based on a pre-experimental static group comparison design repeated at two (1991) and four years (1993) after implantation, with a non-randomized control group. 3,424 students completed a self-administered questionnaire (experimental: 2,097, control: 1,327).

Results: The program had a significant impact on helmet ownership (1989: 4%; 1991: 26%; 1993: 56%). The program was the principal predictor of high intention to use a bicycle helmet. Time was the principal predictor of ownership with exposure to the program being the next predictor.

Conclusion: This study showed that time is an important factor in bicycle helmet acquisition, and that a long-term community-based program can accelerate the process of adopting this behaviour.

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