Central nervous system stimulants: effect on visual functions and occurrence of road traffic accidents.
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.


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


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


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).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Oladehinde
M K
MK
Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Surgery, College of Health Sciences Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Adegbehingbe
Bernice O
BO
Adeoye
A O
AO
Onakoya
A O
AO
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D002188:Cannabis / Q000009:adverse effects; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects*; D019987:Persons with Visual Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants