Off-Road Vehicle Ridership and Associated Helmet Use in Canadian Youth: An Equity Analysis

Purpose: 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 behaviors. Methods: Data came from Cycle 6 (2009‐2010) of the WHO Health Behavior 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. Findings: 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. Conclusions: Risks associated with the use of off‐road vehicles and with nonhelmet 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.