PREVALENCE OF REFRACTIVE ERRORS AND UTILIZATION OF CORRECTIVE LENSES FOR DRIVING AMONG FUEL TRUCK DRIVERS IN OYO, NIGERIA

Abstract

Road Traffic Injuries (RTIs) was the ninth leading cause of injuries in 1998 and projected by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to rise to the third leading cause of injuries worldwide by 2020. In recent years, there has been a substantial increase in the number of fuel-truck accidents involving fire outbreaks in Oyo State, Nigeria. Some studies have found the association between poor vision and road traffic accidents to be statistically significant. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of refractive errors and the use of corrective lenses for driving among fuel truck drivers in Oyo. A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted using total coverage sampling technique to select 217 tanker drivers was utilized. Semi-structured questionnaire was interviewer administered to find out if they have corrective lenses for any errors present, and if they use them for driving. Eye examinations were conducted to find out their visual status. Data from the questionnaires and eye examinations were analysed using descriptive statistics, and Chi-square test at 5% level of significance. The respondents were all males and ages ranged from 20-72 years. Mean age of respondents was 40.3 ±9.1 years. Most (88%) of the tanker drivers had formal education; 44.2% primary, 43.8% secondary, while a few (9.7%) never went to school. Most (83.1%) of the respondents were Yorubas (45.2%) and Hausas (42.9%). The mean number of years spent driving a tanker was 13.1 ±8.2 years. Almost one quarter (22.1%) had never heard about an eye examination and 24.4% felt eye examinations had no benefits. Less than half (47.5%) had undergone an eye examination previously. No significant association was found between the age of tanker drivers and poor vision; significant association was found between age of respondents and uptake of eye examination services. There was also an association between those who seek eye examination services and the utilisation of corrective lenses for driving. Only 3.2% of respondents had obtained corrective lenses for driving. More than one third (35.9%) of respondents indicated that they would not utilise spectacle correction even if it was prescribed for them. Less than one quarter of the tanker drivers (23.5%) were found to have refractive errors, and 5.9%, failed to meet the standard vision required for driving and should not have been driving without spectacle correction. In order to increase the utilisation of corrective lenses for driving among fuel truck drivers, there is a need for drivers to undergo primary eye examinations before they are licensed and at license renewals. Majority of fuel truck drivers were comfortable with taking recommended medications, but lacked enthusiasm when spectacle correction was recommended. To help drivers view spectacle correction as medication just like drugs, it is critical for health educational interventions, to increase awareness, alter perception and ultimately change behaviour of fuel truck drivers for the utilisation of corrective lenses for driving.