Global Journal of Medical Research, K: Interdisciplinary, Volume 22 Issue 3

Factors Influencing the use and Abuse of Drugs by Commercial Drivers: A Case of Commercial Drivers in Ghana Hawa Osman Abstract- Introduction: Significant number of road accidents can be attributed to drug use and drunk driving globally. The increase in the number of roadtraffic accidents in a report by the Ghana National Road Safety Commission, calls for a review of drunk driving in the country. The study was conducted to determine the types and use of drugs by drivers in Ghana. This will determine the social and cultural factors that influence drug driving. Methodology: We developed and introduced a self administered questionnaire using a sample of 300 questionnaires. These were administered and carefully edited to ensure some level of consistency, clarity and reliability in the information gathered. Purposive sampling approach was used in the selection of commercial bus stations and cargo stations of selected regions depending on the locations of these stations and the population of vehicles. Backward elimination regression model-building technique was used in theselection of significant variable(s) into a fitted logistic regression model. Five percent statistical level of significance was required for a variable to stay in the model. Results: Commercial bus drivers who responded or participated in this study were male adults within the active age and fourty one percent were illiterate. About, thirty four percent of these commercial drivers admitted to using drug when driving and seventy percent of these drivers learned how to drive from unapproved driving institutions. Educational levels of these drivers, hours used to drive, how the commercial drivers were trained and distance they traveled were the most significant variables associated with the use of drug by commercial drivers. Conclusion: In conclusion, there exists significant association between Levels of educational, distance traveled, time used in driving and drug Use by these commercial drivers. Drunk driving is a major threat to the development of Ghana. This threaten our transportation industry and measures ought to be taking to address this problem. Keywords: drunk driving, substance abuse, marijuana, odds ratio, accidents. I. I ntroduction drug can be defined as any chemical which is taken in order to treat or prevent an illness or disease. But these substances are mostly abuse as a result of their pleasant effects or reactions in the human system. Drug driving is the action or offense of Corresponding Author: University Library, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho,Ghana. e-mail: hosman@uhas.edu.gh driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs, especially those that are illegal. Substance use and abuse by commercial drivers when driving should be of concern to both users and the general public. According to a report by the Ghana National Road Safety Commission in 2012, substance use (Drug) among commercial drivers is one of the most serious challenges confronting the transportation industry in Ghana. The report indicated that, thirteen thousand, five hundred and twelve (13535) crashes have been recorded resulting over two thousand and sixty nine (2069) deaths. a) Road accidents related to alcohol abuse Significant number of road accidents can be attributed to drug use and drunk driving globally. The increase in the number of road traffic accidents in a report by the Ghana National Road Safety Commission, calls for a review of drunk driving in the country. The study was conducted to determine the types and use of drugs by drivers in Ghana. This will determine the social and cultural factors that influencedrug driving. Significant number of road accidents can be attributed to drug use and drunk driving globally. Statistically, different patterns of usage are seen between population subgroups based on age, ethnicity, education, and marital status. This study is to compare whether or not those prevailing conditions are similar to commercial drivers in Ghana. In December, 2012, approximately 246 people died and about 1260 were injured in car accidents. According to the Commission, the major cause of road accidents in Ghana is due to over speeding. This accounts for 60 percent of car crashes in the country. This rising figures calls for review of the causes of these accidents. [1] c onducted a study to evaluate the use of alcohol and marijuana in Pakistan among commercial drivers. Ten percent of truck drivers used alcohol and thirty four percent used marijuana while driving on Pakistani roads. In a research conducted by [2] o n the prevalence of alcohol in injured Swedish drivers, the result indicated that 38 percent of the fatally injured drivers tested positive to alcohol. Globally, significant proportion of road traffic accidents can be attributed to the use and abuse of A 27 Year 2022 Global Journal of Medical Research Volume XXII Issue III Version I ( D ) K © 2022 Global Journals