Factors associated with road traffic accidents involving motorcyclists in Mwea Town, Kirinyaga County, Kenya

Abstract

Introduction: Motorcycle injuries constitute a major but neglected emerging public health problem in developing countries and are a common cause of road traffic injuries. This study was carried out to determine factors associated with road traffic accidents involving motorcyclists in Mwea town, Kirinyaga County.

Methodology: A cross sectional descriptive study design was used. The instrument of data collection was a semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. A total of 180 commercial motorcyclists participated.

A total of 68 (38%) had been involved in road traffic accidents in the past one year at the time of the survey. Forty-seven (69.1%) of them had accidents once. Among those who were involved in accidents in the last one year, 18 (26.5%) attributed the occurrence of accident to poor visibility of the road, 16 (23.5%) to over speeding, 9 (13.2%) to careless motorists, and 6 (8.8%) to potholes.

Conclusion: The extend of accidents was higher among those who drink alcohol, 34 (69.4%), than among those who don’t, 34(26.0%) (P= 0.00). Majority of the accidents, 43 (63.2%) occurred as a result of rolling after losing control. Excessive speed and alcohol use were identified as major factors. Lack of helmet use among those involved in accidents was 41.2% which should be of concern to the authority  to ensure that proper education and awareness is disseminated