In North America, the use of off-road vehicles by young people is increasing, as are related injuries and fatalities. We examined the prevalence of off-road ridership and off-road helmet use in different subgroups of Canadian youth in order to better understand possible inequities associated with these health risk behaviours. Data came from Cycle 6 (2009-2010) of the WHO Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children Study (HBSC). Participants (n = 26,078) were young people from grades 6-10 in 436 Canadian schools. Students were asked, for a 12-mo recall period, how frequently they rode off-road vehicles and how often they wore a helmet while riding. Engagement in off-road ridership and helmet use were estimated by age group, gender, urban-rural geographic location, socioeconomic status, and how long participants had lived in Canada. About half of the sample reported riding off-road vehicles (12,750; 52%). Among riders, 5,691 (45%) always wore helmets. Riders were more often older students, male and born in Canada. Students in rural areas and small towns were much more likely to ride off-road vehicles than their urban peers (RR, 95% CI: 1.28 [1.23—1.33]). Helmet use was less common among females, new immigrants, older students, and those in lower socioeconomic groups. There was little reported difference in helmet use by urban-rural location. Risks associated with the use of off-road vehicles and with non-helmet use are not equitably distributed across Canadian youth. Factors characterizing off-road ridership (notably urban-rural location) are distinct from factors for helmet use. Preventive interventions should target population subgroups. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting