The Association between Mobile Phone Use and Severe Traffic Injuries: A Case-Control Study from Saudi Arabia

Alghnam, Suliman; Towhari, Jawaher; Alkelya, Mohamed; Alsaif, Ahmad; Alrowaily, Mohamed; Alrabeeah, Fawaz; Albabtain, Ibrahim

doi:10.3390/ijerph16152706

Cited by 29 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Various factors influence the risk of fatal crashes, including weather, road conditions, an absence of emergency care services, and reckless driving (7). 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).…”

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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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%

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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“…In the KSA, road traffic injuries (RTIs) are the third leading cause of death and account for 80% of all trauma admissions in hospitals [36,37]. Recently, the effect of distracted driving on crash severity has been investigated, finding that drivers using a mobile phone while driving have 44% higher chances of being involved in a severe crash [38].…”

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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“…In a recent study in Saudi Arabia using a mobile phone was associated with higher severity and prevalence of disability rates and was associated with a 44% greater likelihood of incurring a severe RTC [32]. Worldwide figures on the impact of distraction while driving to RTC ranges from 8% in the Netherlands, 11% in the US, to 37% in Spain [33].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risky driving behaviour in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: a cross-sectional, survey-based study

2020

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Background: Traffic collision fatality rates per mile travelled have declined in Abu Dhabi similar to many developed countries. Nevertheless, the rate is still significantly higher than the average of countries with similar GDP and sociodemographic indicators. The literature on the subject in the UAE is limited especially in the area of studying drivers behaviour. This study aims to find determinants of risky driving behaviours that precipitate having a road traffic collision (RTC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: A cross-sectional, survey-based study was employed. Participants were 327 active drivers who were attending Abu Dhabi Ambulatory Health Care Services clinics. They were provided with a questionnaire consisting of demography, lifestyle history, medical history, driving history, and an RTC history. They were also given a driving behaviour questionnaire, a distracted driving survey, depression screening and anxiety screening. Results: Novice drivers (less than 25 years old) were 42% of the sample and 79% were less than 35 years. Those who reported a history of an RTC constituted 39.8% of the sample; nearly half (47.1%) did not wear a seatbelt during the collision. High scores in the driving behaviour questionnaire and high distraction scores were evident in the sample. Most distraction-prone individuals were young (90.5% were less than 36 years old). High scores in the driving behaviour questionnaire were also associated with high distraction scores (p < 0.001). Respondents with high depression risk were more likely to be involved in the RTC. With each one-point increase in the driver's distraction score, the likelihood of a car crash being reported increased by 4.9%. Conclusion: Drivers in the UAE engage in risky behaviours and they are highly distracted. Some behaviours that contribute to severe and even fatal injuries in RTCs include failing to wear a seatbelt and being distracted. Younger people were more likely distracted, while older drivers were more likely to have higher depression scores. Depression is suggested as a determinant factor in risky driving. These findings are informative to other countries of similar socioeconomic status to the UAE and to researchers in this field in general.

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The Association between Mobile Phone Use and Severe Traffic Injuries: A Case-Control Study from Saudi Arabia

Cited by 29 publications

References 30 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

Risky driving behaviour in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: a cross-sectional, survey-based study

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