Drug and driving among long distance self employed automobile drivers in Nigeria: Public health implications

Background Automobile drivers are vulnerable to psychoactive drugs use often to their detriment and also to that of commuters.

Method Four hundred and twenty two commercial drivers systematically selected through a multi stage stratified sampling technique from four motor parks in Ibadan using the alcohol and drug section of the CIDI auto program (A WHO Standardized Instrument for making diagnosis of mental disorders) were interviewed. Prior to the administration of the CIDI, their knowledge about the health hazards of drugs was assessed. A focus group discussion and direct observation of substance selling activities were also conducted at the initial stage of the study. Mental health promotion was initiated on daily basis after the focus group discussion after which their level of the knowledge about substance use was re-assessed.

Results Their mean age was 39.12 ± 5.38 years, 76.8% were married, 5.0% had no formal education. The most commonly ‘ever’ used substance was alcohol (91.5%). Current drug use and also an ICD 10 diagnosis was respectively significantly more reported among young drivers, p < 0.01, drivers with low educational level, p < 0.01 and also among hired drivers, p < 0.001. Of the profile of problems associated with substance related disorders, ‘health problems’ was most commonly associated with opiod use (80%), and ‘injuries’ with alcohol use (63.5%). Mental health educational intervention program led to 33% of current substance users willing to stop this habit, 33%, being indifferent, and 33% not willing

Conclusion Although, drug use is common among long distance automobile drivers, mental health promotion was able to increase the level of awareness of the subjects about the harmful consequences of drugs. The government should randomly screen commercial drivers plying the roads for drug use and increase the frequency of educational programs to improve their knowledge about its harmful effects.