BackgroundTraffic crashes are a major cause of global morbidity and mortality disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Motorcycle taxi (boda boda) drivers are particularly vulnerable because they are exposed to traffic risks with limited safety equipment. This study aims to characterize injury prevalence and safety habits among boda boda drivers, as well as ways to improve road traffic safety in LMICs.MethodsA cross-sectional mixed methods study was conducted with 300 boda boda drivers between 24 March and 3 April 2014 in urban Moshi, Tanzania. A convenience sample of participants was drawn from 25 of 58 registered boda boda stands and 2 of 31 unregistered stands. Data were analyzed using R, and content thematic analysis was performed and agreed upon by three investigators. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between boda boda characteristics and injury risk.ResultsIn total, 300 drivers participated, of whom 148 (49.3%) had experienced a crash during their lifetime, and 114 (77.0%) sustained at least one injury. Only 27 of those injured (23.4%) were hospitalized. Of all participants, 220 (73.3%) reported consistent helmet usage, despite 285 participants (95.0%) agreeing that helmet usage reduces injury severity. From the 280 helmets observed, 231 (82.5%) were either damaged or fit improperly. Having a cracked helmet was associated with higher risk of being involved in a traffic crash. Owning a helmet with a proper fit was associated with reduced risk for a traffic crash (OR = 0.06) and road traffic injuries (OR = 0.07). A thematic analysis of boda boda drivers’ suggestions to increase road safety identified four intervention areas: 1) roadway infrastructure and traffic regulation, 2) road user attitudes and safe driving behaviors, 3) education and training, and 4) law enforcement.ConclusionOur study demonstrates boda boda drivers’ safety behaviors and identifies four intervention areas that can be leveraged to increase overall road traffic safety. Unfortunately, while boda boda drivers are aware of ways to improve safety, adherence to safety habits remains low. Successful multi-sectoral interventions are needed to improve road safety for boda boda drivers in Tanzania.
BackgroundRoad traffic crashes are a major cause of global morbidity and mortality, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. Motorcycle taxi (boda-boda) drivers are particularly vulnerable because they have limited protection and safety equipment. This study characterises injury prevalence and safety habits amongst boda-boda drivers, and identifies intervention points to improve road safety.MethodsA prospective mixed methods interview and safety assessment was administered to 300 boda-boda drivers in urban Moshi, Tanzania. Participants were chosen randomly from 25 of 58 registered boda-boda stands and 2 of 31 unregistered stands. The survey was administered using a computerised, internet based survey tool (REDCAPS) and tablet computers. Data were analysed using R, and a thematic analysis was performed and agreed upon by three investigators (MP, TN, CS).ResultsOf the 148 participants (49.3%) who had experienced a crash, 114 (77.0%) sustained at least one injury. Only 27 of those injured (23.4%) were hospitalised. 220 participants (73.3%) reported consistent helmet usage despite the fact that 285 participants (95.0%) agree that helmet usage reduces injury severity. Of the 280 helmets observed, 231 (82.5%) were either damaged or fit improperly. A thematic analysis of boda-boda drivers’ suggestions to increase road safety identified four intervention points: 1) roadway infrastructure and traffic regulation, 2) road user attitudes and safe driving behaviours, 3) education and training, and 4) law enforcement.ConclusionsThe present study demonstrates the high prevalence of road traffic injuries amongst boda-boda drivers. The study identifies four intervention points that can be leveraged to increase overall road traffic safety. Unfortunately, while boda-boda drivers are aware of ways to improve safety, adherence to safety habits remains low. Successful interventions will bridge the gap between knowledge and practice of safety habits.
BackgroundRoad traffic injuries (RTI) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in low and middle income countries (LMIC). Further investigations of the high risk areas for RTIs in LMIC are needed to guide improvements in road safety planning. This study aims to provide a built environmental analysis of road traffic crash hotspots within Moshi, Tanzania.MethodsAfter ethical and police permission, Moshi police data was collected and descriptive statistics were tabulated. Hotspots were identified through spatial analysis and relevant patterns in environmental characteristics determined using Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA).Results36 Hotspots were identified. QCA revealed 40% of crash sites were found on local roads, without night lighting and had increased motorcycle density. A further 26% of hotspots were located on paved narrow roads and 13% of hotspots were described as unpaved roads with uneven roadside areas. Roadside unevenness was more predominate in low risk sites, (High risk n = 7 (46.7%), Low risk n = 19, 90.5%, p = 0.01). Both low and high risk sites had minimal signage (High risk n = 1 (6.7%), low risk n = 6 (28.6%) and all had informal pedestrian pathways (High risk n = 15 (100%), low risk n = 21 (100%) .ConclusionsIn Moshi, Tanzania hotspots were associated with roadside dangers, lack of night lighting, informal pedestrian pathways, and increased traffic density but overall there was little variability between the low and high risk sites suggesting hazardous road conditions exist throughout the area. Our findings suggest overall improvement in municipal infrastructure, including structural improvements, signage and enforcement are needed to help reduce road traffic injury burden.
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