Central Nervous System Stimulants: effect on visual functions and occurrence of road traffic accidents

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MK Oladehinde
Bernice O Adegbehingbe
AO Adeoye
AO Onakoya

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of the use of central nervous system (CNS) stimulants on visual functions and occurrence of road traffic accidents (RTA) amongst commercial drivers.


DESIGN: A cross-sectional study in which two hundred and fifteen consecutive drivers were interviewed and their eyes examined.


SETTINGS: Ife Central Local Government Area (LGA) of Osun State, Nigeria.


MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of the estimated 270 commercial drivers registered in the four major parks of the LGA, 215 consecutive drivers participated in the survey. Questionnaires were administered by face – to – face interview and the drivers’ eyes examined by the authors.


RESULTS: The prevalence of visual impairment (visual acuity < 6/18) in the better eye without correction was 3.3%, and there was a significant association between uncorrected visual acuity impairment in the better eye and RTA (p = 0.0152). The prevalence of refractive error was 8.4%, but none of these drivers wear corrective glasses. Alcohol consumption is common (57.7%) amongst the drivers, and there was a significant association between alcohol consumption and RTA (p = 0.00124). There was also a significant association between the use of CNS stimulants (kolanut, marijuana and cigarette) and RTA (p = 0.005).


CONCLUSION: It was therefore concluded that visual impairment in the better eye, alcohol consumption and the use of other CNS affecting substances contribute to the occurrence of RTA among the drivers.

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How to Cite
Oladehinde, MK, et al. “Central Nervous System Stimulants: Effect on Visual Functions and Occurrence of Road Traffic Accidents”. Annali Italiani Di Chirurgia, vol. 80, no. 1, Jan. 2009, pp. 43-48, https://annaliitalianidichirurgia.it/index.php/aic/article/view/175.
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