Rural adolescent attitudes and use of helmets while snowmobiling

Brianna J Iverson; Devin E Spolsdoff; Pam J Hoogerwerf; Brenda Vergara; Charles A Jennissen

doi:10.1186/s40621-025-00648-z

Back

Rural adolescent attitudes and use of helmets while snowmobiling

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Rural adolescent attitudes and use of helmets while snowmobiling

Brianna J Iverson, Devin E Spolsdoff, Pam J Hoogerwerf, Brenda Vergara and Charles A Jennissen

Injury epidemiology, Vol.13(1), 8

01/27/2026

DOI: 10.1186/s40621-025-00648-z

PMCID: PMC12849359

PMID: 41593818

Files and links (1)

url

https://doi.org/10.1186/s40621-025-00648-zView

Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Helmet-preventable head injuries are a common cause of snowmobiling-related injury. Our objective was to determine the demographics, helmet use, and attitudes regarding snowmobile helmet use among rural adolescents. An anonymous survey was administered to a convenience sample of adolescents (ages 13-18) at the 2022 Iowa FFA Leadership Conference. Frequency and comparative analyses were performed. Of the 1,331 respondents, 58% were female and 96% non-Hispanic White. One-half lived on farms, 21% lived in the country/not on a farm, and 28% lived in town. One-quarter (26%) lived in households owning a snowmobile, with higher ownership among farm residents (31%) compared to those in the country/not on a farm (23%) or in town (19%), p < 0.001. Over one-third of participants had ridden in the past year. Riding was more common amongst males, Caucasians, farm residents, and those from households owning snowmobiles (all p ≤ 0.01). Frequent riding (at least weekly) was higher among older teens and snowmobile-owning households (p = 0.025 and p < 0.001, respectively). Helmet use was: 67% always/mostly, 11% sometimes, and 21% rarely/never. The importance of snowmobile helmet use (from 1 to 10) was highly rated (median, 9; mean, 8.2). Relative to their peers, females (p = 0.018), those owning snowmobiles (p < 0.001), and frequent riders (p < 0.01) had greater proportions wearing helmets always/most of the time, and rated the importance of helmet use more highly. 59% supported snowmobile helmet laws. While most rural adolescents value snowmobile helmet use and support legislation, nearly half report inconsistent use. Importantly, our study identified demographic groups for targeted interventions.

Rural

Teenager

Helmet

Laws

Adolescent

Farm

Snowmobile

Details

Title: Subtitle: Rural adolescent attitudes and use of helmets while snowmobiling
Creators: Brianna J Iverson - University of Iowa
Devin E Spolsdoff - University of Iowa
Pam J Hoogerwerf - University of Iowa
Brenda Vergara - University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital
Charles A Jennissen - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Injury epidemiology, Vol.13(1), 8
DOI: 10.1186/s40621-025-00648-z
PMID: 41593818
PMCID: PMC12849359
NLM abbreviation: Inj Epidemiol
ISSN: 2197-1714
eISSN: 2197-1714
Publisher: Springer
Language: English
Date published: 01/27/2026
Academic Unit: Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Emergency Medicine; University of Iowa Health Care; Injury Prevention Research Center; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9985132083902771

Metrics

1 Record Views