Download This PaperPoor Income Among Motorcycle Taxi (Boda-Boda) Drivers Is Associated With Injuries in Gulu Municipality, Northern Uganda
23 Pages Posted: 14 May 2020
Date Written: April 20, 2020
Abstract
Background: Motorcycle Taxi (Boda-boda) injuries are the second commonest reason for trauma admission in Northern Uganda. Most reasons for injuries are related to behaviours of Boda-boda drivers, passengers and pedestrians. We assessed the underlying factors for the frequent accidents associated with Boda-boda drivers in Gulu Municipality.
Methods: We conducted two cross-sectional studies on 200 Boda-boda drivers and 57 victims admitted to Gulu Regional Hospital using a questionnaire sub-sectioned into: Structured Questions (SQ) and Unstructured Questions (UQ) over a period of six months. The study was approved by local IRB and STATA version 14.1 was used for statistical analysis.
Results: The factors associated with Boda-boda injuries were Boda-boda drivers from Pece division of Gulu Municipality (OR=7.290, 95%CI: 2.162-24.580; p<0.001) and those with poor monthly incomes less than $100 (OR=0.154, 95%CI: 0.031-0.766; p<0.05). Higher monthly income more than $100 were less proned to accidents (OR=0.104, 95%CI: 0.038-0.281; p<0.001). Work experience; prior training on road safety measures, age, use of helmets and protective wears, levels of education and knowledge on road safety use did not affect the outcome. On the other hand, most victims were passengers from villages outside Gulu Municipality (OR=8.808, 95%CI: 3.190-24.329; p<0.001) and had minor injuries and mainly occurring in Pece division (OR=7.290, 95%CI: 2.162-24.580; p<0.001).
Conclusion: Boda-boda injuries are a public health problem in Gulu Municipality and drivers from Pece division who had poor income were more proned and most victims of Boda-boda injuries were passengers from villages outside the Municipality.
Keywords: Boda-boda injuries, Gulu Municipality, income, behaviours, accidents
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