Skip to main content
BioMed Research International logoLink to BioMed Research International
. 2021 Feb 9;2021:1604245. doi: 10.1155/2021/1604245

Psychoactive Substance Use and Its Associated Factors among Truck Drivers in Ethiopia

Tewodros Yosef 1,, Dawit Getachew 1, Biruk Bogale 1, Wondimagegn Wondimu 1, Nigusie Shifera 1, Yilkal Negesse 1, Ameha Zewudie 2, Wondwossen Niguse 3, Aragaw Tesfaw 4, Hadgu Gerensea 5
PMCID: PMC7889340  PMID: 33628773

Abstract

Background

Road traffic accidents (RTAs) remain an important public health issue worldwide. Psychoactive substance use is one of the main contributors to the occurrence of traffic accidents, and its use by truck drivers is a global problem. Also, psychoactive substance use is a commonly observed behavior among truck drivers. To the best of our knowledge, no evidence shows the prevalence and factors associated with psychoactive substance use among truck drivers in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was aimed at assessing the prevalence and factors associated with psychoactive substance use among truck drivers in Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 systematically selected truck drivers at Modjo dry port in Ethiopia, from February 1 to March 1, 2018. The data were collected through face-to-face individual interviews using a structured questionnaire. The collected data were entered into EpiData version 4.2.0.0 and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Binary logistic regression analysis was computed to determine the association using crude and adjusted odds ratios at 95% confidence intervals. The level of significance was declared at p value < 0.05 in the multivariable binary logistic regression analysis.

Results

Of the 400 truck drivers interviewed, the overall one-month self-reported prevalence of psychoactive substance use was 70% (n = 280). In the multivariable binary logistic regression analysis, aged 38 years and above (AOR = 0.40, 95% CI [0.23-0.69]), Christianity religion (AOR = 0.52, 95% CI [0.28-0.97]), college and university education (AOR = 3.47, 95% CI [1.27-9.47]), having a family size of 3 or more (AOR = 0.34, 95% CI [0.20-0.60]), having 6 or more hours spent sleeping at night (AOR = 0.46, 95% CI [0.28-0.75]), and rest breaks between driving (AOR = 2.13, 95% CI [1.14-3.97]) were significantly associated with psychoactive substance use.

Conclusion

The one-month prevalence of psychoactive substance use among truck drivers was remarkably high. We can conclude that psychoactive substance use is a public health problem among truck drivers, which is a major threat to themselves and others on the road. The sociodemographic and occupational factors are the factors associated with drivers' psychoactive substance use. Therefore, devising health education and counseling program for drivers to tackle the problem plays paramount importance.

1. Introduction

Road traffic accidents (RTAs) remain an important public health issue worldwide. More than 1.2 million people die each year due to road fatalities, and 20 to 50 million are estimated to be injured [1]. Traffic accidents have increased periodically at alarming rates, and it is a serious problem throughout the globe particularly in developing countries like Ethiopia [2]. RTAs were the second most common form of accidents and injuries, accounting for 22.8% of all such incidents next to accidental falls. It contributed to 43.8% of all fatalities secondary to accidents and injuries [3].

Psychoactive substance use is one of the main contributors to the occurrence of traffic accidents [47]. Driving under the influence of psychoactive substance use is a major public health concern [8] and has a relevant impact on the drivers' health and safety, increasing the risk of injuries and traffic accidents, potentially affecting the general public health as well [9]. Psychoactive substance use by truck drivers is a global problem [9, 10]. Truck drivers choose psychoactive substances as a form of performance-enhancing drug, to increase productivity [9], to keep awake while driving [11, 12], and to augment their strength with substances as an adjustment strategy to stressful jobs, overcome depression, and overcome daily problems and for pleasure [10, 12].

Drivers who drive under the influence of substances represent a major threat to themselves and others on the road [1316], since their driving performance is easily impaired as a consequence of the use of substances and has been linked to reckless driving, car crashes, and fatal accidents [1722].

The factors associated with psychoactive substance use are varied and may include age, marital status, religion, education, income, longer trips, driving in the night shift, long or short sleep duration, fewer hours of rest, little experience of the driver, presence of multiple sex partners, and previous involvement in road traffic accidents [10, 15, 20, 23, 24]. The use of psychoactive substances such as alcohol and chat leaves has become one of the rising major public health and socioeconomic problems worldwide, which is a particularly growing concern in Ethiopia [25]. Psychoactive substances are associated with a multiplicity of noncommunicable diseases and their risks and musculoskeletal disorders [2628]. Truck drivers are important contributors to the economy of every country, especially in those with limited rail [10], water, and other forms of transport of goods.

Despite this, psychoactive substance use is a commonly observed behavior among truck drivers. To the best of our knowledge, no evidence shows the prevalence and factors associated with psychoactive substance use among truck drivers in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was aimed at assessing the prevalence and factors associated with psychoactive substance use among truck drivers in Ethiopia to fill the knowledge gap. The findings will help policymakers to devise interventions and also provide opportunities for future studies to fill in the gaps that this study could not address.

2. Methods

2.1. Study Design, Area, and Period

A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to March 2018 at the Modjo dry port. The Modjo dry port is the first dry port development established at the end of 2009 to relieve the congestion of the Djibouti port. It is found in central Ethiopia, 38 miles southeast of Addis Ababa. The port handles 95% of Ethiopia's trade and is the major bottleneck in the Ethiopia-Djibouti trade corridor [26].

2.2. Populations

The source population was all cross-country truck drivers at the Modjo dry port in Ethiopia. The study population was systematically selected truckers at the Modjo dry port in Ethiopia.

2.3. Sample Size Determination and Sampling Technique

The minimum required sample size was calculated using a single population proportion formula. Since there was no study regarding psychoactive substance use among truck drivers in Ethiopia, we used an estimated proportion of truck drivers with substance use (50%), precision level 5%, 95% confidence interval, and 10% for nonresponse compensation. The calculated sample size was 422. On average, a maximum of 15 days is required for a truck to make a round trip from the Modjo dry port to Djibouti International Port and back to Modjo dry port unless a technical problem on the vehicle or other accidents occurred. Based on the information from the port management, an average of 300 to 400 trucks arrives daily at the port. With this consideration to give each driver an equal chance of inclusion, the total sample size was divided by fifteen days and concluded that 28 truck drivers can be studied every day. To identify the potential study participants using the systematic random sampling technique, 300 was divided by 28 to obtain the constant for the sampling interval, which was 11. A random number between one and eleven was chosen as a starting number; in this case, it was 6. Hence, every eleventh driver from the 6th driver was studied until the total sample size was obtained. Of the 422 sample size determined, 400 took part in this study, yielding a response rate of 94.8%. The reason for nonresponse (5.2%) was the need for an incentive by respondents; as a result, the previous study by NGO on HIV prevalence had an incentive (5 USD for having HIV testing); some respondents think that the study had no any importance for them and some did not volunteer without any reason.

2.4. Study Variables

The dependent variable was psychoactive substance use (at least one of the alcohol/khat). The independent variables were sociodemographic factors (age, marital status, religion, educational status, monthly income, and family size), occupational and psychosocial factors (daily driving hours, years of truck driving, sleeping hours spent at night, rest break between driving, and perceived job stress).

2.5. Operational Definitions

  1. A psychoactive substance user: defined as a person who used at least one of the following psychoactive substances such as khat and alcohol to keep awake while driving.

  2. Prevalence: defined as the frequency of study subjects who used psychoactive substances in the past month.

  3. Current use: consuming any substance within the last one month/30 days [29].

  4. Lifetime use: refers to the use of any of the substances at least once in an individual's lifetime [29].

  5. A rest break between driving: defined as a rest taken by a driver after an hour or more of driving but not including rest for the meal.

2.6. Data Collection Instrument and Procedures

A face-to-face interview was used to collect the data. First, the questionnaire was prepared in English and then translated to the local language (Amharic) and then translated back into English to maintain its reliabilities. The questionnaire was seen by experts for face validity. Regarding the reliability of the instrument, the questionnaire was tested for a reliability score and a good reliability score was gained (Cronbach's alpha of 0.82 was obtained in this study which resulted in the same). Training was given to data collectors and supervisors regarding the objective and method of data collection and to discuss the presence of unclear questions in the questionnaire.

2.7. Data Processing and Analysis

The collected data were entered into EpiData version 4.2.0.0 and analyzed using SPSS version 20 statistical software. Binary logistic regression analysis was computed to determine the association using crude and adjusted odds ratios at 95% confidence intervals. The independent variables with a p value of less than 0.25 at the bivariate level were included in the multivariable binary logistic regression model to control for potential confounding. Multicollinearity between predictor variables in the model was checked, and the variance inflation factor (VIF) was found acceptable (less than 2). The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test indicated (p = 0.545) that the model was good enough to fit the data well. The level of significance was declared at p value < 0.05 in the multivariable binary logistic regression analysis.

3. Results

3.1. Sociodemographic Characteristics

Of the 422 truck drivers recruited, 400 truck drivers were successfully interviewed. All respondents were male. Two-thirds (67%) and more than three-fourths (81.2%) of the respondents were married and Christian religious followers, respectively. Two hundred and sixty-seven (66.8%) were secondary (grades 9-12) school achievers. More than half (58.8%) and nearly two-thirds (66.5%) of the respondents were permanent employees and had family sizes of three or more, respectively (Table 1).

Table 1.

Sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents at the Modjo dry port in Ethiopia.

Variables Categories Frequency (n) Percent (%)
Age group <38 years 203 50.8
≥38 years 197 49.2
Marital status Out of marriage 132 33.0
In marriage 268 67.0
Religion Christianity 325 81.2
Muslim 75 18.8
Educational status Read and write up to primary 92 23.0
Secondary (grades 9-12) 267 66.8
College or university 41 10.2
Employment type Permanent 235 58.8
Contract 165 41.2
Monthly income <220 USD 204 51.0
≥220 USD 196 49.0
Family size <3 134 33.5
≥3 266 66.5

Protestant and orthodox religions. USD: United States dollar.

3.2. Psychosocial and Occupational Factors

Of the 400 truck drivers, nearly three-fourths (75.8%) and two hundred forty-nine (62.2%) had perceived job stress and job satisfaction, respectively. The majority (84.8%) of the respondents had a rest break between driving (Table 2).

Table 2.

Psychosocial and occupational factors of respondents at Modjo dry port in Ethiopia.

Variables Categories Frequency (n) Percent (%)
Perceived job stress Yes 303 75.8
No 97 24.2
Job satisfaction Present 249 62.2
Absent 151 37.8
Rest break between driving Present 339 84.8
Absent 61 15.2
Hours spent sleeping at night Less than 6 hours 196 49
6 or more hours 204 51

3.3. Prevalence of Psychoactive Substance Use

Of the 400 truck drivers interviewed, the lifetime prevalence of self-reported prevalence of alcohol drinking and khat chewing was 66% and 34.8%, respectively. The one-month self-reported prevalence of alcohol drinking and khat chewing was 55%, and 30%, respectively. However, the overall self-reported lifetime and one-month prevalence of psychoactive substance use was 83% (n = 332) and 70% (n = 280), respectively.

3.4. Factors Associated with Psychoactive Substance Use

Bivariate analysis was done for exposure variables expected to have an association with the outcome of interest. The exposure variables at a p < 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were included in the multivariable binary logistic regression model. The multivariable binary logistic regression model was done, and exposure variables found associated with the outcome of the variable at a p value of less than 0.05 were declared significant. In the multivariable binary logistic regression analysis, aged 38 years and above (AOR = 0.40, 95% CI [0.23-0.69]), Christianity religion (AOR = 0.52, 95% CI [0.28-0.97]), college and university education (AOR = 3.47, 95% CI [1.27-9.47]), having a family size of 3 or more (AOR = 0.34, 95% CI [0.20-0.60]), having 6 or more hours spent sleeping at night (AOR = 0.46, 95% CI [0.28-0.75]), and rest breaks between driving (AOR = 2.13, 95% CI [1.14-3.97]) were significantly associated with psychoactive substance use (Table 3).

Table 3.

Bivariate and multivariable analyses of factors associated with psychoactive substance use among respondents at Modjo dry port in Ethiopia.

Variables Categories Psychoactive substance use COR (95% CI) AOR (95% CI) p value
Yes No
Age group <38 years 155 48 1 1
≥38 years 125 72 0.54 (0.32-0.78)∗∗ 0.40 (0.23-0.69) 0.001
Religion Muslim 58 17 1 1
Christian 222 103 0.63 (0.35-1.14) 0.52 (0.28-0.97) 0.039
Educational status Read & write up to G-8 58 34 1 1
Secondary (grades 9-12) 188 79 1.40 (0.85-2.30) 1.21 (0.69-2.10) 0.509
College & university 34 7 2.85 (1.14-7.12)∗∗ 3.47 (1.27-9.47) 0.015
Family size <3 100 34 1 1
≥3 180 86 0.71 (0.45-1.09) 0.34 (0.20-0.60) <0.001
Monthly income <220 USD 149 55 1 1
≥220 USD 131 65 0.74 (0.48-1.14) 0.86 (0.52-1.41) 0.544
Hours spent sleeping at night Less than 6 hours 150 46 1 1
6 hours or more 130 74 0.54 (0.33-0.78)∗∗ 0.46 (0.28-0.75) 0.002
Rest break between driving Yes 246 93 2.10 (1.20-3.67)∗∗ 2.13 (1.14-3.97) 0.018
No 34 27 1 1
Perceived job stress Yes 207 96 0.71 (0.42-1.19) 0.84 (0.48-1.48) 0.556
No 73 24 1 1

AOR: adjusted odds ratio; CI: confidence interval; COR: crude odds ratio; G-8: grade 8; USD: United States dollar. Significant at a p value < 0.25; ∗∗significant at a p value < 0.05.

4. Discussion

This study was aimed at assessing the prevalence and factors associated with psychoactive substance use among truck drivers in Ethiopia. The overall prevalence of psychoactive substance use was 70%, 95% CI (65.5%-74.5%). It was higher than 11% [8], 12.7% [22], and 27.6% in Italy [9]. But it was lower than 76% in Kaduna, Nigeria [30]; 81.1% in Kano, Nigeria [31]; and 93.8% in Lokoja, Nigeria [12]. The prevalence of alcohol drinking was 66%, 95% CI (61.4%-70.6%). This finding was in line with 64% in Himachal, India [15]. It was higher than 8.1% [13]; 17.3% in Ilorin, Nigeria [24]; 18.2% in Kaduna, Nigeria [30]; 40% in Punjab, India [15]; and 40.1% among British Colombia drivers [22]. But it was lower than 79.5% in Lokoja, Nigeria [12]. The observed variation in this condition is due to the differences in sociodemographic and lifestyle factors of the study participants across the different studies. The study population may play a great role in the variation observed, since some studies with a low prevalence of psychoactive substance use are associated with short-distance truck drivers compared to this study. Besides, the operational definitions used among researched substances to mean psychoactive substance use are varied across different studies; this study used alcohol and khat to mean psychoactive substance use; however, others used alcohol and other substances to mean psychoactive substance use.

In this study, the age of respondents was significantly associated with psychoactive substance use. Drivers aged 38 years and above were 60% less likely to use psychoactive substances than their counterparts. This finding was in line with previous studies conducted elsewhere [10, 20]. This could be because those who were older are more likely to have a family (wife and child); this makes them more likely to be responsible for their behavior to lead a healthy life with their family by not exposing themselves to unhealthy behavior (psychoactive substance use) that can cause unexpected death due to road traffic accidents. But this was contrary to studies conducted in India and Nigeria [15, 23].

This study also showed a significant association between religion and psychoactive substance use. Being a Christian religious follower was 48% less likely to use psychoactive substances than being Muslim religious followers. This finding was contrary to a study conducted in the Plateau State, Nigeria [23]. Despite this, alcohol consumption was common among Christian drivers. However, the prevalence of khat chewing was high among Muslims. Since use of at least one of the substances (alcohol and khat) categorized an individual as a substance user in this study, the increased prevalence of khat chewing among Muslims results in the high likelihood of Muslim drivers being classified as substance users. This could be the reason for the variation observed between this study and the previous study in Nigeria.

The survey also showed a very strong association between educational status and psychoactive substance use. Truck drivers who had achieved college and university level of education had 3.5 increased odds of using psychoactive substances than their counterparts. This study was in line with studies conducted in Iran and India [15, 20]. This could be explained by the thinking of substance use as a manifestation of modernization, which is mainly observed among higher education graduates as well as students. Of the 280 drivers with psychoactive substance use, 180 (64.3%) had family sizes of 3 or more. Those drivers with family sizes of 3 or more were 66% less likely to use psychoactive substances than drivers with family sizes fewer than 3. This could be because those who had more family members are more likely to take responsibility to restrict themselves from unnecessary substance use to avoid road traffic accidents.

This study also revealed the association between hours of sleep at night and psychoactive substance use. Truck drivers with 6 or more hours of sleep at night were 54% less likely to use psychoactive substances than drivers with fewer than 6 hours of sleep at night. This result was consistent with a study done by Girotto et al. [10]. This could be because those drivers who had fewer than 6 hours of sleep at night are more likely to be depressed and anxious; this makes them take a substance to relieve their psychosocial problems.

Of the 280 truck drivers with psychoactive substance use, 246 (87.9%) drivers had rest breaks between driving. Having a rest break between driving was significantly associated with psychoactive substance use. Truck drivers who had rest breaks between driving were 2.1 times more likely to use psychoactive substances than drivers who had no rest break between driving. This finding was consistent with a study done by Girotto et al. [10]. Drivers may take a rest after a couple of hours of driving after communicating with one another through the phone and deciding where to take a rest. During the rest time, they may take substances to relieve their tension and to relax.

5. Conclusion

The one-month prevalence of psychoactive substance use among truck drivers was remarkably high. We can conclude that psychoactive substance use is a public health problem among truck drivers, which is a major threat to themselves and others on the road. The sociodemographic and occupational factors are the factors associated with drivers' psychoactive substance use. Therefore, devising health education and counseling programs for drivers to tackle the problem plays paramount importance.

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the study participants for their valuable participation and the Modjo dry port staff and higher officials for their full collaboration and support during the study.

Abbreviations

AOR:

Adjusted odds ratio

CI:

Confidence interval

COR:

Crude odds ratio

SPSS:

Statistical Package for the Social Sciences

SD:

Standard deviation.

Data Availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Ethical Approval

Ethical clearance and permission letters were obtained from the Addis Ababa University-Institutional Review Board (AAU-IRB). Permission was obtained from the Mojo Dry Port Authority. All study participants were informed about the purpose of the study, their right to deny participation, anonymity, and confidentiality of the information.

Consent

Written informed consent was also obtained before participation in the study.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Authors' Contributions

TY was involved in the conception, design, and acquisition of the data, analysis, and interpretation of the results. DG, BB, WW, NS, YN, AZ, WN, AT, and HG were involved in data analysis and interpretation of the results. TY drafted the manuscript, and all authors approved it for publication.

References

  • 1.World Health Organization. Global status report safety on road safety, 2015. Geneva: WHO; 2015. [Google Scholar]
  • 2.Deme D. Road traffic accident in Ethiopia from 2007/08-2017/18. American International Journal of Sciences and Engineering Research. 2019;2(2):49–59. doi: 10.46545/aijser.v2i2.90. [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  • 3.Abegaz T., Gebremedhin S. Magnitude of road traffic accident related injuries and fatalities in Ethiopia. PLoS One. 2019;14(1, article e0202240) doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202240. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 4.de Oliveira L. G., Yonamine M., Andreucceti G., de Carvalho Ponce J., Leyton V. Uso de alcool e outras drogas por motoristas brasileiros de caminhao: um motivo de preocupaçao? Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria. 2012;34(1):116–117. doi: 10.1016/s1516-4446(12)70020-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 5.Aglan M., Adawi A. Incidence of Substance Abuse Among Cab-drivers Involved in Non Fatal Accidents. Trends in Medical Research. 2016;11(1):20–27. doi: 10.3923/tmr.2016.20.27. [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  • 6.Hassen A., Godesso A., Abebe L., Girma E. Risky driving behaviors for road traffic accident among drivers in Mekele City, Northern Ethiopia. BMC Research Notes. 2011;4(1):p. 535. doi: 10.1186/1756-0500-4-535. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 7.Li K., Simons-Morton B. G., Hingson R. Impaired-driving prevalence among US high school students : associations with substance use and risky driving behaviors. American Journal of Public Health. 2013;103(11):e71–e77. doi: 10.2105/ajph.2013.301296. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 8.De Boni R. B., Bastos F. I., de Vasconcellos M., Oliveira F., Limberger R. P., Pechansky F. Drug use among drivers who drank on alcohol outlets from Porto Alegre, Brazil. Accident Analysis & Prevention. 2014;62:137–142. doi: 10.1016/j.aap.2013.09.017. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 9.Dini G., Bragazzi N. L., Montecucco A., Rahmani A., Durando P. Psychoactive drug consumption among truck-drivers: a systematic review of the literature with meta-analysis and meta-regression. Journal of preventive medicine and hygiene. 2019;60(2):E124–E139. doi: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2019.60.2.1245. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 10.Girotto E., Mesas A. E., de Andrade S. M., Birolim M. M. Psychoactive substance use by truck drivers : a systematic review. Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 2013;71(1):71–76. doi: 10.1136/oemed-2013-101452. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 11.Okpataku C. I. Pattern and reasons for substance use among long-distance commercial drivers in a Nigerian city. Indian Journal of Public Health. 2015;59(4):259–263. doi: 10.4103/0019-557X.169649. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 12.David A., Toyin A. Rationale and implications of psychoactive substances use among commercial road transport workers in Lokoja, Nigeria. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences. 2017;8(5-1):143–157. doi: 10.2478/mjss-2018-0107. [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  • 13.Beirness D. J., Beasley E. E. A Roadside Survey of Alcohol and Drug Use Among Drivers in British Columbia. Traffic Injury Prevention. 2010;11(3):215–221. doi: 10.1080/15389581003735626. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 14.National Institute of Drug Abuse. Drugged driving. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: National Institutes of Health; 2019. [Google Scholar]
  • 15.Lal D., Sidhu T. K., Coonar P. P. S. Prevalence and pattern of substance abuse among drivers in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences. 2017;6(48):3686–3693. doi: 10.14260/Jemds/2017/796. [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  • 16.Kelly E., Darke S., Ross J. A review of drug use and driving: epidemiology, impairment, risk factors and risk perceptions. Drug and Alcohol Review. 2004;23(3):319–344. doi: 10.1080/09595230412331289482. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 17.Lipari R. N., Hughes A., Bose J. The CBHSQ Report. Rockville, MD, USA: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; 2016. Driving under the influence of alcohol and illicit drugs. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 18.Movig K. L. L., Mathijssen M. P. M., Nagel P. H. A., et al. Psychoactive substance use and the risk of motor vehicle accidents. Accident; Analysis and Prevention. 2004;36(4):631–636. doi: 10.1016/S0001-4575(03)00084-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 19.World Health Organization. Drug use and road safety: a policy brief. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization; 2016. [Google Scholar]
  • 20.Heydari S. T., Vossoughi M., Akbarzadeh A., et al. Prevalence and risk factors of alcohol and substance abuse among motorcycle drivers in Fars province, Iran. Chinese journal of traumatology. 2016;19(2):79–84. doi: 10.1016/j.cjtee.2015.12.006. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 21.Asefa N. G., Ingale L., Shumey A., Yang H. Prevalence and factors associated with road traffic crash among taxi drivers in Mekelle town, northern Ethiopia, 2014: a cross sectional study. PLoS One. 2015;10(3, article e0118675) doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118675. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 22.Brubacher J. R., Chan H., Martz W., et al. Prevalence of alcohol and drug use in injured British Columbia drivers. BMJ Open. 2016;6(3, article e009278) doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009278. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 23.Okpataku C. I. Sociodemographic correlates of substance use among long distance commercial vehicle drivers. Journal of Medicine in the Tropics. 2016;18(1):6–11. doi: 10.4103/2276-7096.176053. [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  • 24.Bamiso M. A., Naimat B. O. Correlates and predictive factors for alcohol and other psychoactive substance use among tanker drivers in Ilorin, Nigeria. African journal of psychiatry. 2014;17(5) [Google Scholar]
  • 25.FDRE-MOH. FDRE-MOH; 2016. National Strategic Action Plan (NSAP) for prevention & control of non-communicable diseases in Ethiopia: 2014-2016. [Google Scholar]
  • 26.Yosef T., Belachew A., Tefera Y. Magnitude and contributing factors of low back pain among long distance truck drivers at Modjo dry port, Ethiopia : a cross-sectional study. Journal of Environmental and Public Health. 2019;2019:7. doi: 10.1155/2019/6793090. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 27.Yosef T. Prevalence and associated factors of chronic non-communicable diseases among cross-country truck drivers in Ethiopia. BMC Public Health. 2020;20(1):p. 1564. doi: 10.1186/s12889-020-09646-w. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 28.Yosef T., Bogale B., Destaw A., Weldu A. The burden of overweight and obesity among long-distance truckers in Ethiopia. Journal of Obesity. 2020;2020:6. doi: 10.1155/2020/4242789. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 29.European Monitoring Centre for Drug and Drug Addiction. Methods and definitions: general population surveys. 2021, http://www.emcdda.europa.eu.
  • 30.Okpataku C. I. Substance use among long distance commercial vehicle drivers : onset and the influence of education. Malaysian Journal of Psychiatry Ejournal. 2015;24 [Google Scholar]
  • 31.Yunusa U., Bello U. L., Idris M., Haddad M. M., Adamu D. Determinants of substance abuse among commercial bus drivers in Kano metropolis, Kano state, Nigeria. American Journal of Nursing Science. 2017;6(2):125–130. doi: 10.11648/j.ajns.20170602.16. [DOI] [Google Scholar]

Associated Data

This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.

Data Availability Statement

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.


Articles from BioMed Research International are provided here courtesy of Wiley

RESOURCES