Substance use among tricycle drivers in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja

ABSTRACT

Substance use is an increasing trend and has become one of the most disturbing public health problems. The study aims to assess substance use and its effect among tricycle drivers in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. A cross sectional study using Questionnaires among 360 tricycle drivers in FCT, Abuja was done. They were selected using Time location sampling and simple random sampling. Chi square test was used at p < 0.05. Findings show that prevalence of substance use was high 291(80.8%). The most used substances were alcoholic beverages 291 (100%), tobacco products 260 (89.3%) and bitter cola, kolanut, 256 (88.0%). Only 35(9.7%) of the substance was prescribed by a medical personnel. Knowledge on effects of substance use was high 291 (80.9%). The effects of substance use on the physical health liver damage 261(72.5%), hand tremors 251(69.7%), high blood pressure 214(59.4%). There was a significant association between the age, educational status, marital status, ethnic origin, religion and income level of the tricycle riders and their abuse of substance (P-value <0.001 in all cases). The prevalence of substance use among tricycle riders in FCT, Abuja was high and there was significant association of characteristic with substance use. There is need for intervention to reduce the health burden associated with substance abuse among through health education on the dangers of substance use at all levels. More attention has been drawn recently to substance use and driving because of road traffic accidents causally related to substance use.

Keywords: Substance use, tricycle drivers, FCT.