Substance Use and Sleep Problems in Drivers Involved in Traffic Accidents in India
Author Information
Author(s): Muacevic Alexander, Adler John R, Lalringzo Esther, Dhiman Vishal, Gupta Ravi, Sarkar Bhaskar, Bhute Ashish R, Naithani Manisha, Basu Aniruddha
Primary Institution: All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh
Hypothesis
What is the prevalence of substance use and sleep-related problems among drivers involved in road traffic accidents?
Conclusion
The study highlights the significant impact of substance use and sleep-related issues on road traffic accidents, suggesting the need for targeted interventions.
Supporting Evidence
- 57.7% of drivers tested positive for alcohol.
- 18.6% had used other psychotropic substances, with cannabis being the most common.
- 21.7% of participants reported excessive daytime sleepiness.
Takeaway
Many drivers involved in accidents were found to have used alcohol or other drugs, and some were very sleepy while driving, which can lead to crashes.
Methodology
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 383 driver victims who presented to a trauma center following road traffic accidents, using questionnaires and drug analysis.
Potential Biases
Self-reporting may lead to recall bias regarding substance use and sleepiness.
Limitations
The study relied on self-reported data, which may introduce bias, and was conducted in a single hospital, limiting generalizability.
Participant Demographics
{"gender":{"male":343,"female":40},"age":{"18-30":216,"31-45":134,"46-60":33},"education":{"up to 12th standard":204,"graduate and above":73},"employment":{"employed":230,"unemployed":94,"student":59},"socioeconomic_status":{"upper":60,"middle":141,"lower":182}}
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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