Prevalence and Factors Associated with Commercial Motorcycle Accidents in Embu County, Kenya

Abstract

Road traffic injuries (RTIs) stand as one of the leading causes of death and disability around the globe. The accidents have increased over the recent past as the number of motorcycles grows around the world, making motorcycle-related accidents to become an important public health issue. There were 1.2 million deaths and around 50 million injuries globally related to both motor vehicle and motorcycle accidents annually. The burden is even higher in low and middle-income countries where the motorcycles are used as an income earner but data on commercial motor cycle accidents is lacking. The main objective of the study was to determine the causal factors associated with commercial motorcycle accidents in Embu Town, Embu County. A prospective cohort study design was employed to assess commercial motorcycle riders in Embu town. Baseline data were collected among 200 commercial motorcycle riders who were then followed up for three months. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered weekly to capture risk factors for motorcycle accidents. Participants were censored when they got involved in an accident. Data were entered into excel and imported to SPSS software version 24 for analysis. Descriptive statistics including mean, standard deviation and percentage of sociodemographic characteristics and motorcycle accidents were calculated. Bivariate analysis was conducted to determine factors that influence commercial motorcycle accidents. All variables significant at bivariate level were included in logistic regression model. All tests were significant at P< 0.05. A total of 48 (24%) commercial motorcyclists were involved in road accident during the three months of the study. Factors independently associated with accidents among motorcyclists were use of alcohol (χ2=4.9889, df=1, P=0.026), use of khat (χ2=8.1015, df=1, P=0.004), driven the motorcycle under alcohol influence (χ2=14.1186, df=1, P<0.001) and riding while chewing khat (χ2=4.5132, df=1, P=0.034). The findings show motorcycle accidents were prevalent and use of alcohol and khat have a significant association with motorcycle accidents. Therefore, there is need to have interventions programs addressing dangers of using alcohol and khat among the riders. They should target the younger commercial riders. The findings from the study will assist in developing feasible interventions to reduce the increasing road accidents related to motorcycle accidents both in the study area and in other areas.