Accessing quality motorcycle helmets in Ghana: a qualitative inquiry
4 affiliations
- 1Injury Division, The George Institute for Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Corresponding author.
- 2Department of Health Promotion and Disability Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- 3Global Injury Program, The George Institute for Global Health, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
- 4Injury Division, The George Institute for Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
Abstract
Background: While helmet use among motorcyclists in Africa remains low, an equally critical issue is the quality of helmets in use. In many African countries, such as Ghana, poor-quality helmets are widely available in local markets, mainly due to a lack of helmet standards, weak import regulations, and poor enforcement. This study, therefore, explores the determinants and enablers of access to quality motorcycle helmets in Ghana. Methods: We conducted a qualitative inquiry between January and April 2024. We purposively sampled participants across three interest groups: motorcyclists, helmet vendors/retailers, and road safety practitioners. We collected data through in-depth, face-to-face interviews using semi-structured interview guides. We analysed the data using inductive thematic analysis. Results: We interviewed 41 participants: 16 motorcyclists, 19 helmet vendors/retailers, and 6 road safety practitioners. The analysis highlighted four interconnected system gaps and potential enablers: limited knowledge and awareness of helmet quality, limited availability of quality helmets, economic constraints, and the absence of regulations and enforcement. Enablers include public education and awareness of quality helmets, improved market availability, price controls and incentives for motorcyclists, and stronger regulation and enforcement. Together, these factors limit access to quality helmets, and a systemic regulatory gap in standards and enforcement exacerbates the problem. Conclusion: Improving access to quality helmets requires a coordinated approach. The first step is to address the regulatory gap by developing helmet standards. Without this, it is difficult to ensure market availability, raise public awareness, and make helmets more affordable.
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BibTeX
@article{gyaase2026accessing,
title = {{Accessing quality motorcycle helmets in Ghana: a qualitative inquiry}},
author = {Daniel Gyaase and Theresah Ivy Gyaase and Margie Peden and Pratishtha Singh and Jagnoor Jagnoor},
journal = {African Journal of Emergency Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.afjem.2026.101020},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.afjem.2026.101020},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Accessing quality motorcycle helmets in Ghana: a qualitative inquiry
AU - Daniel Gyaase
AU - Theresah Ivy Gyaase
AU - Margie Peden
AU - Pratishtha Singh
AU - Jagnoor Jagnoor
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/24
JO - African Journal of Emergency Medicine
DO - 10.1016/j.afjem.2026.101020
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.afjem.2026.101020
AB - Background: While helmet use among motorcyclists in Africa remains low, an equally critical issue is the quality of helmets in use. In many African countries, such as Ghana, poor-quality helmets are widely available in local markets, mainly due to a lack of helmet standards, weak import regulations, and poor enforcement. This study, therefore, explores the determinants and enablers of access to quality motorcycle helmets in Ghana. Methods: We conducted a qualitative inquiry between January and April 2024. We purposively sampled participants across three interest groups: motorcyclists, helmet vendors/retailers, and road safety practitioners. We collected data through in-depth, face-to-face interviews using semi-structured interview guides. We analysed the data using inductive thematic analysis. Results: We interviewed 41 participants: 16 motorcyclists, 19 helmet vendors/retailers, and 6 road safety practitioners. The analysis highlighted four interconnected system gaps and potential enablers: limited knowledge and awareness of helmet quality, limited availability of quality helmets, economic constraints, and the absence of regulations and enforcement. Enablers include public education and awareness of quality helmets, improved market availability, price controls and incentives for motorcyclists, and stronger regulation and enforcement. Together, these factors limit access to quality helmets, and a systemic regulatory gap in standards and enforcement exacerbates the problem. Conclusion: Improving access to quality helmets requires a coordinated approach. The first step is to address the regulatory gap by developing helmet standards. Without this, it is difficult to ensure market availability, raise public awareness, and make helmets more affordable.
SN - 2211-419X
SN - 2211-4203
ER -