Visual Impairment and Road Traffic Accident Among Drivers in Jimma Town, Southwest Ethiopia

abstract

Background: Vision, the ability to see details clearly play a vital role in driving where good and efficient visual functioning of the driver is essential. Ethiopia has the highest rate of fatalities per vehicle in the world.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of visual impairment and associated occurrence of road traffic accident (RTA) among vehicle drivers.  Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 249 sampled drivers in Southwest Ethiopia. A pre-tested and refined examination protocol was used for interview and vision test was done using Snellen’s acuity chart and Ishihara pseudo-isochromatic plates. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 and test of associations between variables was done using chi square test and logistic regression models. P-value less than 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: The mean age of drivers was 33.6 years (SD ± 10.3). Relative frequency of self reported RTA was 15.3%. The prevalence of uncorrected binocular visual impairment was 1.6% and there was a significant association between visual impairment and RTA (p=0.012). Refractive error was seen in 7.6% and 8.8% of drivers in the right and left eyes respectively, and 3.2% of them had vision less than that is required to obtain driving license. Color vision impairment was seen in 1.6% of tested drivers.

Conclusion: Uncorrected binocular visual impairment was strongly associated with involvement in RTA. There is need for consistent inspection and screening, strict rules and regulations of licensing and health education for drivers to minimize RTA and to save the life of productive citizens.

Key words: visual acuity, visual impairment, driving, road traffic accident, color vision

Total word counts in abstract = 248