Substance and alcohol utilization among commercial drivers and its interrelationship with road traffic accident
Date
2013
Authors
Oridota, E.S.
Ashindoitiang, M.A.U.
Olatona, F.A.
Olajide, T.O.
Akanmu, O.N.
Soriyan, O.O.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
J Med Res Pract
Abstract
Background: Substance and Alcohol abuse is a major public health issue that has taken a deep root in our society. This study aims to assess substance and alcohol utilization among commercial drivers and how it affects road traffic crashes.
Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study of 358 commercial drivers in Lagos, Nigeria.
Results: All the respondents were males. The majority were aged 40years and below; married and had at least secondary education. 212 (59.7%) of the respondents drove because there was no other job and 195 (54.5%) drove daily for at least 10 hours. The majority 282 (78.8%) knew that behavioural changes, mental illness 233 (65.1%), accident 232 (64.8%) and death 214 (59.8%) are effects of substance utilization. The substances mostly used were analgesics (76%). 105 (29.3%) used alcohol, 81 (22.6%) abuse cannabis and 36 (10%) took stimulants. The reason for
substance abuse given by most (83.4%) of the respondents was that they wanted to feel fine. 149 (44.9%) have had a road traffic crash. Drivers who took cannabis are more likely to have an accident. The occurrence of accidents reduced with increasing education and the association between the level of education and road traffic crash was statistically
significant. Road traffic crashes increased with increasing driving hours and years of experience.
Conclusion: Level of education, cannabis utilization and number of driving hours are associated with road traffic accidents. Government should strengthen existing laws and policies on substance and alcohol abuse.
Description
Scholarly articles
Keywords
Alcohol Abuse , Cannabis , Road Traffic Accidents , Substance , Research Subject Categories::MEDICINE
Citation
Oridota ES, Ashindoitiang MAU, Olatona FO, OlajideTO, Akanmu ON, Soriyan OO. (2013) Substance and Alcohol Utilization among Commercial Drivers and its Interrelationship with Road Traffic Accident. J Med Res Pract, 2(2); 66-68.