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Annals of African Medicine
Annals of African Medicine Society
ISSN: 1596-3519
Vol. 7, No. 2, 2008, pp. 67-71
Bioline Code: am08015
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge

Annals of African Medicine, Vol. 7, No. 2, 2008, pp. 67-71

 en Prevalence of Psychoactive Substance Use among Commercial Motorcyclists and Its Health and Social Consequences in Zaria, Nigeria
Alti-Muazu, M. & Aliyu, A. A.

Abstract

Background: In recent years commercial motorcyclists (Okada riders) have come to bridge the huge public transport gap in most cities across the country. However, this is not without the dangers they pose to themselves, passengers and to other road users. It is claimed that some of these Okada riders operate under the influence of drugs and other substances. But there are few community-based studies that have investigated the problem in this part of Nigeria. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence, health and social consequences of psychoactive substance use among commercial motorcyclists (Okada) in Zaria, northern Nigeria.
Method: Multi-stage sampling technique was used to sample commercial motorcyclists registered with commercial motorcyclists union in Zaria city, Kaduna state, Nigeria. Structured, closed ended and interviewer administered questionnaires were used to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, factors influencing psychoactive substance use, impact on health status, motor cycle riding experience and work performance.
Results: Two hundred commercial motor cyclists were interviewed, majority of them were in the age group 21-25 years (55.5%) with a mean age of 25.4 ± 3.9 years. All the motorcyclists were male, (60.5%), had no formal education, (79.5%) are of Hausa extraction and (69%) worked for more than 10 hours per day. A high prevalence of 59.5% of road traffic accident that was associated with the use of psychoactive drugs was found among the motorcyclists. Commonly identified psychoactive substance/drugs used were: marijuana [Indian hemp] 25.8%, solution 24.5%, caffeine (Kola) 15.8%, and coffee 4.8%. Keeping awake, suppression of fatigue, and peer group effect were the identified factors influencing psychoactive substance use. The commonest types of injuries sustained were bruises and lacerations (62.5%) and fractures of upper and lower limbs (10.5%).
Conclusion: Road traffic accidents among commercial motorcyclists are a frequent occurrence in this part of the country. There is need for public awareness campaigns on road safety education and health consequences of psychoactive substance use among commercial motorcyclists. It is further recommended that law enforcement agencies (NAFDAC, NDLEA and FRSC) need to work in tandem so as to curb the problem of substance abuse in our society and reduce the rate of accidents on Nigerian roads.

Keywords
Commercial motorcyclists, psychoactive substance, health consequences

 
 fr
Alti-Muazu, M. & Aliyu, A. A.

Résumé

Culture générale: de nos jours, les motocyclistes utilitaires sont les sauveurs de nos jours en ce qui concerne la transportation publique ; pourtant, a cause de leurs activités, ils se livrent aux dangers ; ils mettent aussi les passagers et les autres véhicules en danger il se peut que certains de ces motocyclistes soient toujours sous l’influence de la drogue. A travers les études de certaines communautés, on a pu déterminer la prévalence de cette facteur et les conséquences sociales et sanitaires de la prise de cette drogue psycho active parmi les motocyclistes utilitaires dans la cite de Zaria au du Nigeria.
Modalité: On a fait le sondage sur les motocyclistes utilitaires, ceux qui sont inscrits chez le syndicat des motocyclistes à Zaria. Ensuite, on a distribué les questionnaires pour tirer information sur les characteristiques sociodémographiques, l’influence par la prise de drogue psycho active et leur impact sur la santé. On avait également enquêté sur l’expérience d’un motocycliste au volant et sa performance au travail.
Résultat: On a interviewé deux cents motocyclistes utilitaires. La plupart d’entre eux avaient entre (21-25) ans (55.5%). L’age moyen était 25.4+3.9 ans. Tous les motocyclistes surtout les hommes, étaient non scolarises, parmi eux, il y avait des haoussas qui représentent 79.5%. Et 69% d’eux travaillent dix heures par jour. Les motocyclistes représentent 59.5% de tous les accidents de circulation liés directement a la prise de drogue psycho active. Les drogues les plus fréquemment prises sont: marijuana (indien hemp) 25.8%, solution 24.5%, caféine (kola) 15.8% et coffee 4.8%. Les plus dominants facteurs qui influencent l’abus de cette drogue psycho active sont: la veille de nuit, suppression de fatigue, et l’effet des pairs. Les blessures les plus connus qu’on épreuve sont: des égratignures et des lacérations 62.5% et des fractures des membres inférieure et superieure10%.
Conclusion: les accidents routiers parmi les motocyclistes se produisent souvent dans cette partie du pays ; il faudrait donc sensibiliser le publique sur la sécurité routière, sur les conséquences sanitaires de la prise de drogue psycho active parmi les motocyclistes utilitaires. En plus, nous recommandons a l’organisme chargé de faire respecter la loi comme: (NAFDAC NDLEA FRSC) de travailler ensemble pour pouvoir éradiquer le problème de l’abus de drogue dans notre société et par conséquent, réduire le taux des accidents routiers sur les routes nigérianes.

Mots Clés
motocyclistes utilitaires, la drogue psycho active, conséquence sanitaire

 
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