Comparison between the risks in road safety behaviour in urban and rural areas in Latvia in 2016

¹ Rıga Stradiòš University, Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Riga, Latvia
² Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Department of Research and Health Statistics, Riga, Latvia

^* Corresponding author: aija.bukova@rsu.lv

Abstract

The study examined the differences between respondents in urban and rural areas in respect of their self-reported attitudes and behaviour regarding taking risks in road traffic. Data of Health Behaviour among Latvian Adult Population 2016 survey was used for analysis. Results: 83.7% (N=1605) of urban respondents and 86.7% (N = 1456) of rural respondents always used seatbelts in the front seat. Only 55.3% (N = 1605) of urban respondents and 52.1% (N = 875) of rural respondents always used seatbelts in the back seat. Odds to use seatbelts in the front seat were higher for rural population (OR = 1.27; 95% CI: 1.05–1.53). Odds to use seatbelts in the back seat were higher for urban population (OR=1.14; 95% CI: 1.01–1.30). Rural residents agreed more often with suggestion that it is not necessary to fasten the seatbelt on short journeys (OR = 1.42; 95% CI: 1.15–1.75) and that it is not necessary to fasten the seatbelt travelling at speed less than 40 km/h (OR=1.22; 95% CI: 1.01–1.56). Rural respondents agreed more often than urban respondents that that driving a car under alcohol influence increases a chance of being involved in an accident (OR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.10–1.90).