Browsing by Author "Meela, Joseph Bazil"

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    PublicationOpen Access
    Factors associated with alcohol use disorder among drivers of public service vehicles in Moshi Kilimanjaro region Tanzania
    (Mount Kenya University, 2024-06) Meela, Joseph Bazil
    Public service vehicles are essential components of transportation networks, Alcohol Use Disorder among drivers is an important problem as it poses serious dangers to public safety. Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) affects more than 283 million individuals and 3 million people died in 2018 due to alcohol use disorder leaving behind 132 million people with Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY), whereby males are more affected than women about three- quarters globally. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with alcohol use disorder among drivers of Public Service vehicles in Moshi Kilimanjaro. This was a mixed-methods study with analytical cross-sectional research using stratified proportional random sampling to choose 292 respondents, Stata version 15 was used for data analysis. Frequency and proportions were used to describe categorical data, while measures of central tendency and the corresponding measures of dispersion were used to summarize continuous variables and the Log-binomial model for factors associated with Alcohol Use Disorder among drivers of public vehicles. A multivariable log-binomial model was used for the control of confounders and to test the effect modifier. The significance level for each analysis was set at 5%, and all tests two-tailed. Qualitative data was gathered through key-informant interviews, and the drivers' individual experiences and viewpoints about alcohol usage were recorded using an audio-recorder. Qualitative results were analyzed using thematic analysis through an iterative process using NVivo software. This study was able to recruit 295 participants, all were men, and 83.0% of the respondents admitted to drinking alcohol. This study revealed a 63% prevalence of alcohol use disorder drivers. Social determinant factors like Stress due to work or family related (PR=1.56; 95%CI,1.05 to 2.32; P<0.027), Source of alcohol beverage (PR=3.84 (95%CI,1.37to10.72; P<.01), Low price (PR= 2.06; 95%CI,1.09 to 3.88; P<.025), and Siblings use (PR=1.66; 95%CI, 0.097 to 2.85; P<.062) showed strong association with alcohol use disorder among the driver. However qualitative data demonstrated Stress, cheap alcohol, cultural norms, parent usage, use of other drugs and readily available, as risk factors for alcohol use disorder. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of addressing the various factors such as low price, stress (work or family-related), sibling’s use, sources of alcoholic beverages, and exhibited increased risks of hazardous alcohol use in both the crude and adjusted models (p < 0.05). By enabling the implementation of strict alcohol laws that prohibit drinking during work hours, raising taxes, and carrying out regular alcohol testing, as well as treatment programs, extensive education and awareness campaigns that highlight the dangers and effects of alcohol use disorder to establish preventative and safety measures to promote health and well-being of drivers.