The prevalence of seatbelt and mobile phone use among drivers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: An observational study

Alghnam, Suliman; Alrowaily, Mohamad; Alkelya, Mohamed; Alsaif, Ahmad; Almoaiqel, Faisal; Aldegheishem, Abdulaziz

doi:10.1016/j.jsr.2018.05.001

Cited by 25 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Excessive speeding is a leading risk factor for RTCs in the KSA (8), and cellphones are commonly used while driving in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which presents a significant risk for crashes and results in disability (9). Moreover, failing to use seatbelts is known as a risk factor for fatal injuries resulting from RTCs in KSA (10). Factors that facilitate traffic safety include improving the design or conditions of roads, strictly implementing traffic laws, enhancing the response to crashes, and improving the conditions of vehicles (11).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Predictors of Seatbelt Use Among Saudi Adults: Results From the National Biobank Project

Alghnam

Alyabsi

Aburas

et al. 2020

Front. Public Health

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Introduction: Road traffic crashes (RTCs) are a leading cause of death and disabilities and impose a significant burden on the healthcare system and economy of Saudi Arabia. Around 20% of all hospital beds are occupied by victims of RTCs, which represent approximately 80% of trauma deaths occurring in these facilities. Using a seatbelt is an effective method to reduce traffic deaths and minimize the extent of associated injuries. However, little is currently known about the prevalence and predictors of seatbelt use in Saudi Arabia. More studies are needed to determine the trends of seatbelt use and study the relationship between individual factors and compliance with seatbelt use laws. The aim of the present study is to examine the prevalence and predictors of seatbelt use using the National Saudi Biobank dataset. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using an in-person survey from the Saudi National Biobank (SNB). The participants were adults affiliated with the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs in Riyadh who were examined between 2017 and 2019. Chi-squared and Wald tests were used to assess the association between the respondents' characteristics and their seatbelt use. In addition, logistic regression models were constructed to assess the univariate and multivariate associations between seatbelt use and potential predictors. All statistical tests were two-sided, and the findings were considered significant at P < 0.05. Results: A total of 5,790 adults participated in the survey. The majority of the participants (52.44%) were between 18 and 25 years old, half were males, and 58.80% were single. About 42.83% of the participants reported consistent seatbelt use as drivers or passengers. In the multivariable analysis, females were 86% less likely to wear seatbelts than males (OR = 0.136, 95%CI = 0.107-0.173). Individuals who rated their mental health as "weak" were 26% less likely to wear seatbelts than those who reported "excellent" mental health status. Conclusion: Seatbelt use remains low in the country and substantially lower than in developed countries. Young adults, females, and individuals reporting suboptimal mental health were less likely to fasten their seatbelts. Alghnam et al. Seatbelt Use Among Saudi Adults These findings are valuable for public health programs to target specific groups and raise awareness about the need to increase seatbelt compliance and reduce traffic injuries.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Alghnam et al (10) found that only a third of drivers in Riyadh (34%) use seatbelts. Low rates of seatbelt use were also reported in the Eastern Province of KSA, ranging from 43 to 47% for drivers and 26-30% for front-seat passengers, with even lower rates for rear-seat users (16).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predictors of Seatbelt Use Among Saudi Adults: Results From the National Biobank Project

Alghnam

Alyabsi

Aburas

et al. 2020

Front. Public Health

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“…According to morbidity and mortality records from the Ministry of Health (MOH), roughly 81% of total fatalities in hospitals are due to RTCs, and nearly 20% of the beds are occupied by RTC victims [28]. Statistics from previous studies for KSA also revealed that the majority of these crashes occurred due to over-speeding and non-compliance with traffic regulations, which can be prevented by strict enforcement [29][30][31][32][33].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Dilemma of Road Safety in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia: Consequences and Prevention Strategies

Jamal

Rahman

Al-Ahmadi

et al. 2019

IJERPH

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Road traffic crashes (RTCs) are one of the most critical public health problems worldwide. The WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety suggests that the annual fatality rate (per 100,000 people) due to RTCs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has increased from 17.4 to 27.4 over the last decade, which is an alarming situation. This paper presents an overview of RTCs in the Eastern Province, KSA, from 2009 to 2016. Key descriptive statistics for spatial and temporal distribution of crashes are presented. Statistics from the present study suggest that the year 2012 witnessed the highest number of crashes, and that the region Al-Ahsa had a significantly higher proportion of total crashes. It was concluded that the fatality rate for the province was 25.6, and the mean accident to injury ratio was 8:4. These numbers are substantially higher compared to developed countries and the neighboring Gulf states. Spatial distribution of crashes indicated that a large proportion of severe crashes occurred outside the city centers along urban highways. Logistic regression models were developed to predict crash severity. Model estimation analysis revealed that crash severity can be attributed to several significant factors including driver attributes (such as sleep, distraction, overspeeding), crash characteristics (such as sudden deviation from the lane, or collisions with other moving vehicles, road fences, pedestrians, or motorcyclists), and rainy weather conditions. After critical analysis of existing safety and infrastructure situations, various suitable crash prevention and mitigation strategies, for example, traffic enforcement, traffic calming measures, safety education programs, and coordination of key stakeholders, have been proposed.

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“…However, the participants who (in violation of law on mobile use while driving), reportedly always ( n = 63) or nearly always ( n = 115) used mobile phone while driving, respectively 71.4 and 65.7% of them violated the seatbelt-use law as well. Incidentally in two neighboring countries in the region including Qatar and Saudi Arabia, dual violation of seatbelt law and mobile phone use while driving was commonly observed (Mahfoud et al 2015 ; Alghnam et al 2018b ). Such drivers with dual violation of laws not only endanger their lives but also put at risk the lives of other motorists and passengers on the road.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of and factors associated with self-reported noncompliance with mandatory seatbelt-use law while driving among adults in Kuwait

et al. 2020

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Objectives This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of self-reported noncompliance with mandatory seatbelt-use law and examined the factors associated with noncompliance with seatbelt-use while driving in adult working population in Kuwait. Methods During October 2017, 822 adults aged 21–60 years from 11 government ministries and departments were enrolled in this study. Data were collected using a pre-tested, structured, and self-administered questionnaire. We computed the prevalence of self-reported noncompliance with mandatory seatbelt-use law while driving and evaluated the factors associated with noncompliance with seatbelt-use law while driving using a multivariable log-binomial regression model. The adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed using model’s parameters’ estimates. Results Of 822 participants, 64.4% were females, 56.6% were 21 to 30 years old, 86.5% were Kuwaitis, and 70.3% had college and/or university level education. The prevalence of self-reported noncompliance with mandatory seatbelt-use law while driving was 55.5%, whereas the prevalence of noncompliance with self-reported mandatory use seatbelt as a passenger was 80.9%. Multivariable log-binomial regression model showed that after adjusting for the influence of other variables in the model, participants were more likely to be noncompliers with mandatory seatbelt law while driving, if they believed that seatbelt does not protect against injuries during road traffic crashes (RTC) (adjusted PR = 1.20; 95% CI: 1.06–1.37; p = 0.004) or if they were ever fined for not wearing seatbelt (adjusted PR = 1.34; 95% CI: 1.24–1.47; p < 0.001). Furthermore, participants were significantly more likely to be noncompliers with mandatory seatbelt law while driving, if they were unaware of implemented mandatory seatbelt law in Kuwait (adjusted PR = 1.11; 95% CI: 1.04–1.19; p = 0.003). Conclusions The prevalence of noncompliance with mandatory seatbelt-use law in the adult working population of Kuwait is considerably high. Being unaware of mandatory seatbelt use law, belief that seatbelt does not protect during RTC, and having ever been fined in the past for not having seatbelt on while driving were significant predictors of noncompliance with seatbelt-use law. These results warrant the focused mass education and rigorous enforcement of seatbelt-use law while driving. These strategies are likely to enhance the adherence to seatbelt-use law and minimize RTCs related injuries and mortality among adult drivers in this and other similar settings in the region. If implemented, future studies may look at the impact of such interventions on RTCs related frequency and severity of injuries in this and other similar settings.

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The prevalence of seatbelt and mobile phone use among drivers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: An observational study

Cited by 25 publications

References 16 publications

Predictors of Seatbelt Use Among Saudi Adults: Results From the National Biobank Project

Predictors of Seatbelt Use Among Saudi Adults: Results From the National Biobank Project

The Dilemma of Road Safety in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia: Consequences and Prevention Strategies

Prevalence of and factors associated with self-reported noncompliance with mandatory seatbelt-use law while driving among adults in Kuwait

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