Awareness and practices of commercial motorcyclists regarding motorcycle crash-related risk factors and protective measures in Mbeya, Tanzania
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55329/xqkh1519Keywords:
commercial motocyclists, motorcycle crash, protective measures, risk factors, TanzaniaAbstract
An increase in number of motorcycles in Tanzania has resulted in higher rates of motorcycle crashes. The factors associated with the risk of motorcycle crashes include rider characteristics, riding behavior, and riding experience. This study aimed to determine the awareness and practices of commercial motorcyclists regarding motorcycle crash-related risk factors and protective measures in Mbeya, Tanzania. This cross-sectional study targeted 404 commercial motorcyclists in Mbeya, Tanzania. Data were collected using a questionnaire composed of questions on sociodemographic characteristics, and the awareness and practices of motorcyclists regarding motorcycle crash-related risk factors and protective measures. The SPSS computer software version 27 was used for data analysis. For descriptive analysis means, and proportion were used. The outcome variables were level of awareness and degree of practice. Multivariate regression analysis was utilized to analyze how participants’ sociodemographic characteristics influenced their level of awareness and degree of practice. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Overall, most (63.4%) participants had a high level of awareness regarding motorcycle crash-related risk factors and protective measures. Whereas, slightly more than half (52.2%) of participants had poor practice. Working experience of < 2 years as a commercial motorcyclist, training in driving teaching institutes, and a history of being involved in motorcycle crashes increased the odds of a high level of awareness by 2-fold. A higher level of education and higher levels of awareness increased the likelihood of good practice by 157% and 184% respectively. Though most commercial motorcyclists have a good level of awareness regarding motorcycle crash-related risk factors and protective measures their practices were not satisfactory. The authorities should consider integrating road safety measures in school programs, use mass media to educate society on road safety, and introduce incentives such as free training for commercial motorcyclists.
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Author Biographies
Karpal Singh Sohal, Muhimbili National Hospital, the United Republic of Tanzania
Karpal Singh Sohal is an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon affiliated with the Muhimbili National Hospital and Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences. His research interest is on oral and maxillofacial trauma including road safety analysis with a focus on vulnerable road users. Other research interests include evaluating the role of different aspects of social institutes on road traffic crash prevention, and the socio-economic effects of RTC.
CRediT contribution: Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Project administration, Software, Supervision, Validation, Visualization, Writing—original draft, Writing—review & editing.
Steven Reuben, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences
Steven Reuben is a Doctor of Dental Surgery. He is interested in assessing the attitude and level of practice of commercial motorcyclists regarding road safety. His other interests are on oral disease and their prevention.
CRediT contribution: Conceptualization, Investigation, Methodology, Validation, Visualization, Writing—review & editing.
Ashu Michael Agbor, Université des Montagnes, Cameroon
Ashu Michael Agbor currently works at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universite des Montagnes, Cameroon. He is the dean of the Universite des Montagnes dental School. Ashu is a recognized expert in research in community dentistry and public health and has more than 70 publications in different subjects related to public health.
CRediT contribution: Methodology, Project administration, Supervision, Validation, Visualization, Writing—review & editing.
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Copyright (c) 2024 Karpal Singh Sohal, Steven Reuben, Ashu Michael Agbor
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
