Psychoactive substance and road traffic accident among commercial drivers: a study of family supports in Sokoto, Nigeria

Abstract

Family support influence behaviour such as alcohol use and other psychoactive substances. However, few studies have reported on the relationship between family support and road traffic accidents. The present study was to examine whether perceived family support influence the prevalence of psychoactive substances and road traffic accidents among commercial motor drivers in Sokoto, Nigeria. One hundred and sixty seven commercial passenger drivers in Sokoto metropolis were assessed for family support, psychoactive substance use and road traffic accident in this self report study using family support subscale of multidimensional scale of perceived social support (MSPSS). Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS for windows version 16.0. Subjects who reported not receiving family supports were more likely to use psychoactive substance than subjects who received family supports. In addition, subjects who reported receiving family supports were more likely not to report road traffic accidents compared to subjects who did not receive family supports. Family supports influence use of psychoactive substances including alcohol and road traffic accidents. In future investigation of causes of road traffic accidents, attention to family dynamics may be useful.