Jun 2, 2018 - Background: Psychoactive substance use by commercial motor drivers can pose serious danger .... on 10 commercial drivers in Abak, a nearby.
Occupational and Environmental Health Journal Vol. 5, Nos 1& 2 June and December, 2016 7-18
Original Articles
Psychoactive Substance Use Among Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers in Uyo, Southern Nigeria Johnson OE1* and Oseni OA1 1
Department of Community Health, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria
ABSTRACT Background: Psychoactive substance use by commercial motor drivers can pose serious danger to them and other road users. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence, pattern and factors determining substance use among commercial drivers in Uyo, Nigeria. Method: This was a descriptive cross sectional study conducted in May, 2016. Information was collected using an interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaire. Respondents were selected by simple random sampling method. Data obtained was analyzed with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Level of significance was set at 5%. Result: A total of 205 respondents participated in the study. The mean age of respondents was 38± 8.6 years. All respondents were males and 48.8% had a minimum of secondary education. Fifty nine (28.8%) reported having road traffic accidents (RTA) within the past year. The prevalence of regular use of psychoactive substances was 61%. The most frequently used were alcohol 119 (56.6%), tobacco 68 (33.2%) and kolanut 67 (32.7%). Commonest reasons for commencement of substance use were influence of friends, (39.2%) and curiosity, (27.2%). The predictors of substance use were completing secondary education (OR 0.27; p< 0.05), citing ‘maintaining alertness’ as perceived reasons for substance use (OR=6.99; p< 0.01) and involvement in RTA in preceding year (OR=4.64; p
