Willingness to quit substance abuse in motor parks among commercial drivers in Lagos, Nigeria - A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Substance abuse among commercial drivers in Nigeria is a major public health problem. This study was designed to determine the willingness of drivers to quit substance abuse in motor parks. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 350 commercial drivers across motor parks in Ikorodu Division of Lagos State in June 2019. Participants were selected using the multistage sampling technique, while information was obtained using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed in August 2019 with univariate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) used to determine the correlates of willingness to quit (WTQ). Results: Two hundred and eight respondents (59.4%) had engaged in substance abuse in the motor parks within the past month with most using depressants (98.1%), nonopioid pain relievers (61.1%), and stimulants (60.6%). One hundred and twenty-six respondents, that is, 60.5% of persons who had abused substances while in the motor parks. Greater WTQ was associated with road traffic crash within the past 12 months (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.22–1.51), working for more than 5 days a week (OR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.04–1.42), and existing diagnosis of a non–communicable disease (OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.14–1.71). Reduced WTQ was associated with lower educational status (OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.21–0.94) and younger age (OR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.22–0.68). Conclusion: WTQ substance abuse in motor parks is high among the respondents. The correlates of increased or reduced WTQ should be taken into consideration when planning interventions to reduce substance abuse in motor parks.