Epidemiology of alcohol impaired driving in an African nation

Mock, Charles; Asiamah, Godfried; Amegashie, Justice

Affiliations

¹University of Science and Technology; Kumasi, Ghana

²University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

³Ghana Police Hospital, Accra

⁴National Road Safety Committee of Ghana, Accra

Abstract

To ascertain the prevalence and pattern of alcohol impaired driving in an African nation, we conducted a random, roadside, breathalyzer survey of drivers in Ghana. A total of 149 (21%) of 722 drivers tested had a detectable blood alcohol concentration (BAC). In addition, 7.3% of drivers had a BAC ≥ 80 mg/dl. The prevalence of impaired driving (BAC≥80) was higher among private drivers (9.8%) than commercial drivers (6.4%). However, due to a higher volume, the majority (64%) of impaired drivers were commercial drivers. Alcohol use was higher among illiterate (11%) compared to literate drivers (5.4%) and was higher among middle aged drivers (30 – 49 years, 9.1% impaired) compared with younger (< 30 years; 5.0%) or older drivers (≥ 50 years; 0%). Alcohol impaired driving is a significant problem in this African nation. Anti-drunk driving measures should be an important component of road safety efforts. Such measures may need to be different than industrialized nations and will need to target illiterate drivers, middle aged drivers, and commercial drivers.

Links

PubMedCentral: PMC3400198

Cited Works (2)

Year	Entry
1997	Mock C, nii-Amon-Kotei D, Forjuoh S, Rivara F. Epidemiology of transportation related injuries in rural Africa. In: 41st Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). November 10-11, 1997; Orlando, FL.169-183.
1996	Mock C, nii-Amon-Kotei D, Forjuoh S, Rivara F. Epidemiology of transportation related injuries in a sub-saharan African city. In: 40th Annual Proceedings, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine (AAAM). October 7-9, 1996; Vancouver, BC.171-185.