Assessment of use of alcohol by inter-city commercial drivers in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The use of alcohol by drivers is a major factor in road transport accident in Nigeria. The study investigates the use of alcohol among inter-city commercial drivers in Benin City. Data on prevalence, pattern, risk and reasons for the use of alcohol were collected using a structured questionnaire. Chi-square was used to compared data from motor parks across the three LGA (Oredo, Egor, Ikpoba-Okha) in Benin City. Linear regression was performed to determine the association between the socio-demographics of the respondents and with rate of alcohol consumption. Results were considered significant at P < 0.05. The prevalence of alcohol use was 100%, more than half (58.1%) of the commercial drivers were heavy user of alcohol. The majority (66.9%) drink spirits, and about one-third (31.1%) have the risk of injuring themselves or someone else during the last year as a result of drinking (P = < 0.0001, χ2 = 58.50), and 67.5% were concerned by relative, friends, doctor/other health workers about drinking and need to cut down on their habit ((P = < 0.0001, χ2 = 27.18). The most common reason for the use of alcohol was coping with stress and job pressure (84.5). Age, educational qualification and monthly income were associated with the rate of alcohol use by the respondents (P < 0.05, OR = -0.239, -0.436, -0.165 at 95% CI). Most of the commercial drivers were observed to be at risk as a result of alcohol consumption. There was an association between age, educational level and monthly income level with the rate of alcohol use.