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

[21] reported that 7 percent of fatally injured truck drivers had used metham-phetamines, when compared to 13 percent who had used cannabis or alcohol. However, some studies reported very high percentages of commercial drivers who use amphetamines. Methamphetamine use among commercial drivers is of great concern in respect of road traffic safety. [22] investigated the effects of methamphetamine in narcoleptic patients and healthy subjects. Methamphetamine improved performance of narcoleptic patients in the driving simulator in a dose dependent manner. [23] tested the effects of dexamphetamine, a drug with similar effects as metham-phetamine. This drug significantly impaired simulated driving performance during daytime testing. But night-time testing showed no significant differences from placebo were found. [24] r eviewed literature on amphetamine and metham- phetamine and the findings are that low dosages of amphetamine significantly improve psychomotor performance of fatigued subjects. [25] came out with the conclusion that most studies that examined the behavioral effects of stimulant drugs report an increase in risk taking behaviuor and impaired decision making. [25] c oncluded that both low and high dosages of methamphetamine may have an effect on driving performance. Only few studies looked at the effects on driving of other drugs of abuse, such asketamine, inhalants and anabolic steroids, but suggest a negative effect on drivingperformanc e [10] A number of studies have examined illicit drug use in drivers involved in mo-tor vehicle crashes, reckless driving, or fatal accidents. One study found that about34 percent of motor vehicle crash victims admitted to a Maryland trauma center tested positive for drugs only, about 16 percent tested positive for alcohol only. Approximately 10 percent tested positive for alcohol and drugs, and within this g roup, 50 percent were younger than age 25 years [26]. Studies conducted in several localities have found that approximately 4 to 14 percent of drivers who sustained injury or died in traffic accidents tested positive for delta-9-t etrahyd rocannabinol, the active ingredient in marijuana [27]. In a study of fatally injured drivers from three Australian states (Victoria, New South Wales, and Western Australia), drugs oth er than alcohol were present in most of the cases. [15]. These included cannabis, stimulants, benzodiazepines, and other psychotropic drugs. Almost 10 percent of the cases involved both alcohol and other drugs. This study is to determine the significant factors associatedwith the use of these drug. A Roadside studies by [10] indicated that one to fifteen percent of drivers drive under the influence of one or more drugs of abuse. Findings of this study showed that drivers most frequently test positive for the use of alcohol or cannabis. These two drugs affect driving ability and result in poor vehicle control. Most drugs negatively affect driving ability, especially when used in combination with alcohol or another drug. It is of concern that a substantial number of drug users are not aware that their driving is impaired[10]. Progress has been made in Ghana in reducing the use of alcohol and drugs by commercial vehicle operators over the past few years. Drug use prevention and testing programs have been instituted by the Motto Traffic and Transport Unit (MTTU) of the Ghana Police Service. II. M ethodology We employed the Logistic regression model analysis to determine the significantfactors of substance abuse by drivers. All factors that believed to be determinants of the use and abuse of substance by these drivers were considered. These are determinants contributed to the likelihood of substance abuse by drivers. Logistic regression model was employed to pick the significant factors that are believed to contribute to substance abuse in drivers. Firstly, a questionnaire was use to identify potential variables that are believed to have a significant influence on substance abuse by commercial vehicle drivers. After which a logistic regression model was used to select those factors which were indicated to be significant. Finally, the final outcome was used to determine if the model is well fit and if the variables selected are important predictors for our models. Significance of each of the explanatory (independent) variables is assessed by carrying out statistical tests of the significance of the coefficients. The overall goodness of fit of the model is then tested. Finally, the model is validated by checking the goodness of fit and discrimination on a different set of data from that which was used to develop the model. III. D escriptive and D ata D istributions a) Age Distribution Commercial drivers between the ages of 31-50 years forms majority of the population. B ut there ar e few drivers between the ages of 21-30 years. Figure1 shows the population distributions of commercial drivers. 29 Year 2022 Global Journal of Medical Research Volume XXII Issue III Version I ( D ) K © 2022 Global Journals Factors Influencing the use and Abuse of Drugs by Commercial Drivers: A Case of Commercial Drivers in Ghana