Effects of Risk Behaviour Change Training Intervention in Improving Motorcycle Safety among Riders in Kiambu County, Kenya
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Date
2025-11
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
Road traffic injuries involving motorcycles are increasing particularly in rural Kenya resulting in both human and economic loss. The numbers of accident victims of motorbikes continue to swell in hospitals resulting to resource strain for hospitals and households. This study was evaluated on training behavioral interventions, fatality risk and motorcycle transportation safety among rural motorists in Kiambu County. The study sought to establish knowledge on risk behaviors associated with motorcycle safety, the main risk traits associated with motorcycle accidents and impact of training behavioral interventions on the prevalence of motorcycle accidents. The theoretical framework was informed by the Looked but Failed to See Theory and epidemiological model for noninfectious diseases. A quasi-experimental research design was used. The study was conducted at Thika District Hospital Level 5 hospital, Gatundu South, Kiambaa and Kikuyu level-4 hospitals and Gatundu North, Juja, Kiambaa and Limuru level-three hospitals. The participants of the study were the riders. The training behavioral interventions was assessed using a field study experiment that entailed an experimental (trained) with a control group. The Motorcycle Riders Behavior Questionnaire (MRBQ) tool was used. A Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT) and NTSA authorized motorcycle-training agency was part of the formal training on road motorcycle safety to offer expertise assistance. The statistics on motorcycle incidents, minor accidents and major accidents was compared with those of the control group to assess the effect of the training behavioral interventions. The study used questionnaires and interview guides for data collection. The instruments captured quantitative data. SPSS was used to analyze the data. Correlation and T-test for independence and paired t-test were conducted to test level of significance. The T-tests results indicated that wearing a helmet (F=-2.911, P=0.019), Wearing goggles, (F= -3.259, P=0.006), impaired riding (F=3.138, P=0.026) and over speeding (F=3.281, P=0.047) were significantly related with occurrence of an accident. The findings indicated that 31% had valid riding licenses whereas 69% did not have riding licenses. The correlation results showed that duration of riding (r=-.281**, p= 0.001) and possession of a valid license (r= -.316**, p<0.001) are statistically significant in relation to motorcycle accident involvement. The results indicated that majority of the accidents occurred in bends and roundabouts/junctions. The results also indicate that the causes of loss of control related accidents were rider misjudgment and inattention. The results show that during the post- training, the accident prevalence rate was 23% compared to 48% before the behavioral training intervention. The null hypothesis that behavioral training intervention does not have a statistical significance on motorcycle safety among motorist of Kiambu County was rejected. The emerging conclusion for this study is that rider formal training is important in reducing motorcycle related accidents. Lack of awareness/ignorance, lack of funds to pay for formal rider training, weak enforcement of traffic regulations, and stand out as the key issues that should be addressed to realize motorcycle safety. The study recommends on introduction of behavioral training as part of curriculum in rider specific schools where training can be offered at subsidized fee to encourage attendance and improve motorcycle safety.
Description
A Thesis Submitted In Fulfillment of the Requirement For The Award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Epidemiology And Disease Control in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, in the School of Public Health, Kenyatta University. November 2025
Supervisor
Justus Osero
Harun Kimani