Risk Factors of Road Traffic Crashes among Intercity Drivers in Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria

Aim: Road Traffic Crashes (RTCs) have emerged as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. In this report, we explored the prevalence and risk factors of self-reported RTC among intercity drivers in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Study Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted on the four major highways (Abeokuta, Lagos, Oyo/Ogbomosho, and Ife) that connect Ibadan in November, 2012.

Methodology: A road-side survey was done in collaboration with Federal Road Safety Corps of Nigeria, Oyo State Command on 200 consenting long distance drivers. Data were obtained on the socio-demographic characteristics, psychoactive substance use, and experience of RTC; and analyzed using chi-square and logistic regression model with the alpha level of significance set at 0.05.

Results: Majority (98.9%) of the drivers were males with mean age of 39.7±10.1 years. The substances reportedly used by the respondents included medications (46.5%), alcohol (33.5%) and herbs (43.0%). The life time prevalence of self-report crashes was 16%. The significant predictors of RTCs were being located driving along Abeokuta expressway (OR=4.1, 95% CI, 1.4-12.2) and having previous experience of licence suspension (OR=4.9, 95% CI= 2.0-12.0).

Conclusion: Interventions to reduce RTCs may be location specific and have to address causes of licence suspension among drivers.