LONG DISTANCE DRIVERS’ PERCEPTION OF KOLA NUT USE AND RISK OF ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS

Abstract

This study has two goals. First was to describe the prevalence of use of kola nut among long distance drivers, and second was to investigate long distance drivers’ perception of kola nut use and risk of road traffic accidents. The study adopted a mixed-method design. Study 1 used the quantitative method to examine prevalence of kola nut use in the sample. Participants were 104 all-men, long distance drivers of commercial 18-seater mini-buses (age range = 25 - 54 years; mean age = 37.04 years; SD = 4.68). The drivers completed adapted variant of Psychoactive Substance Abuse Questionnaire (PSAQ). Descriptive analysis of data showed a high prevalence of kola nut use among long distance drivers, 84.62% of the sample use kola nut. Study 2 used qualitative method (in-depth interview) to investigate long distance drivers’ perception of kola nut use and risk of road traffic accidents. Participants for this study (N = 43) were interviewed at seven small motor parks at two locations in Enugu state, south-east Nigeria. Analysis of qualitative data showed that long distance drivers showed positive perception towards kola nut use and its influence on road traffic accidents. These findings were discussed, and the authors recommended that kola nut be carefully considered as an effective strategy for road safety.