Factors associated with risky driving behaviors for road traffic crashes among professional car drivers in Bahirdar city, northwest Ethiopia, 2016: a cross-sectional study.
10.1186/s12199-019-0772-1
- Author:
Tesfaye Hambisa MEKONNEN
1
;
Yitayew Ashagrie TESFAYE
2
;
Haimanot Gebrehiwot MOGES
3
;
Resom Berhe GEBREMEDIN
4
Author Information
1. Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, P.O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia. tajan2022@gmail.com.
2. Debre Tabor Zone Health Office, Debre Tabor, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia.
3. Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, P.O. Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia.
4. Department of Health promotion and education, Institute of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Associated factors;
Drivers;
Ethiopia;
Risky driving behavior;
Road traffic crashes
- MeSH:
Accidents, Occupational;
statistics & numerical data;
Accidents, Traffic;
statistics & numerical data;
Adult;
Automobile Driving;
psychology;
statistics & numerical data;
Cities;
Cross-Sectional Studies;
Ethiopia;
Female;
Humans;
Male;
Odds Ratio;
Risk Factors;
Risk-Taking;
Surveys and Questionnaires
- From:Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine
2019;24(1):17-17
- CountryJapan
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND:Road traffic injury is one of the persistent public health challenges in most regions of the world, representing substantial human and economic losses. Annually, about 1.25 million lives are lost, whereas 50 million suffer from road traffic injuries globally. It has been shown that over 60% of the reasons for traffic injuries are a risky driving behavior (RDB). Despite the problem's pervasiveness, there is a paucity of information about level and factors influencing RDB among professional car drivers in Bahirdar city, northwest Ethiopia.
METHODS:An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to March 2016. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 376 participants. A self-administered driver behavior questionnaire (DBQ) was used for data collection. We performed a binary logistic regression analysis to investigate the associations of variables. Potential confounders were controlled using a multivariable logistic regression model. We ascertained the significance at < 0.05 p value and evaluated strength of associations using crude odds ratios (COR) and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
RESULTS:A total of 361 drivers participated (response rate, 96%). The mean age was 34 (standard deviations ± 7.97) years. The majority, 98.9% (N = 357), were males. The level of risky driving behavior and road traffic crashes were 79.4% (95% CI 75.92, 83.97) and 16.3% (95% CI 15.91, 24.84), respectively. Average monthly salary [AOR 2.04; 95% CI (1.23, 2.74)], driving experience [AOR 2.72; 95% CI (1.07, 6.89)], distance driven per year [AOR 2.06; 95% CI (1.13, 4.10)], and previous history of involvement in traffic crashes [AOR 2.30; 95% CI (1.15, 7.35)] were significantly associated with risky driving behavior.
CONCLUSIONS:The study shows that risky driving behavior is common among professional car drivers in the study setting. Therefore, it is strongly advisable for policy makers and other stake holders to devise strategies that consider working conditions, like monthly salary and driving experiences. The study also suggests that it is often advisable to reduce the distance driven per year and learn from implications of previous history of involvement in traffic crashes.
