Prevalence of alcohol among drivers, riders and pedestrians injured in road traffic crashes in Cameroon: a cross-sectional study

Y. Oyono*, H. Gjerde, T. Kelley-Baker, E.A. Asongalem, B.A.K. Nteungue, C.Y. Tayimetha, O.D. Momo, C.P.B. Biwole, D.M. Owandja, V. Ngono, Y. Djakari, J.G. Ramaekers, E.A. Akum

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

The use of alcohol among road users injured in road traffic crashes and admitted to three major hospitals in Cameroon was studied. Alcohol use was measured using breathalyzers, and data on age, gender, education level, religion, type of road user, time of the crash, crash characteristics, and injury severity were recorded using a questionnaire. Of the 350 participants, 30.9% had blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) above 0.08% (legal limit for drivers); the proportion was highest among motorcycle riders (36.5%), followed by pedestrians (24.8%) and motor vehicle drivers (18.9%). The proportion with BAC above 0.08% was highest on weekend nights and among those who were most seriously injured. Those who reported being Muslims had a lower prevalence of alcohol. Multivariable logistic regression analysis confirmed those associations. Many road traffic injuries could have been avoided if the patient had not consumed alcohol. Actions should therefore be taken to reduce the proportion of alcohol-impaired road users. Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/17457300.2022.2030365 .
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)340-347
Number of pages8
JournalInternational Journal of Injury Control and Safety Promotion
Volume29
Issue number3
Early online date25 Jan 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2022

Keywords

  • Cameroon
  • road traffic crashes
  • injuries
  • alcohol consumption
  • drinking
  • and driving
  • DRUGS
  • VARIABILITY
  • TRAUMA
  • BREATH

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