Knowledge and attitudes of commercial motorcyclists on personal protective equipment in the crisis-affected Limbe and Tiko Health Districts of Cameroon toward injury prevention: A formative research study for a health education intervention

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Background In Cameroon, commercial motorcycle riders are essential for urban transportation; however, they face considerable health risks from road traffic accidents and workplace hazards. Despite the critical role of personal protective equipment (PPE) in reducing injury risks, riders often possess limited knowledge and attitudes towards PPE. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of motorcycle riders in the Limbe and Tiko Health Districts. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted with 499 commercial motorcycle riders aged 18 and older in these districts from the 15 th of May 2024 to the 17 th of August 2024. Participants were selected through consecutive sampling at motorcycle pick-up locations after obtaining ethical approval from the University of Buea, with severely ill individuals excluded from the study. Trained research assistants administered structured questionnaires to gather data on socio-demographics, riding habits, and riders’ knowledge and attitudes regarding PPE use. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics with SPSS version 25, and Bloom’s Criteria was applied to classify participants’ knowledge as good or poor. Results The average age of the 499 riders was 32.2±7.6 years, all of whom were male, with 48.5% aged between 21-30 years. Only 32.1% held a valid motorcycle license, and 37.1% were internally displaced due to the ongoing socio-political crisis in the two English-speaking regions of Cameroon. The findings showed that 30.7% of riders had good knowledge of PPE, 26.1% displayed positive attitudes, while only 13.2% practiced good PPE usage. This study highlights significant deficiencies in knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to PPE among motorcycle riders in Limbe and Tiko Health Districts, underscoring the necessity for targeted health education interventions to enhance their understanding and usage of PPE, ultimately improving safety and reducing injuries among riders. What is known in the Topic Commercial motorcycle riders are essential for urban transportation but face significant health risks from road traffic accidents and workplace hazards. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is critical in reducing injury risks among motorcycle riders. There is a general lack of awareness and understanding regarding the importance of PPE among motorcycle riders. What this study adds This study provides empirical data on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding PPE usage among commercial motorcycle riders specifically in the Limbe and Tiko Health Districts of Cameroon. It highlights the low percentage of riders with good knowledge (30.7%), positive attitudes (26.1%), and proper practices (13.2%) related to PPE usage, indicating significant deficiencies in these areas. The findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted health education interventions to improve understanding and usage of PPE among motorcycle riders, aiming to enhance safety and reduce injuries in this population.