Prevalence, Socio-Demographic and Driving Related Factors Associated with Visual Impairment in Commercial Drivers Routing Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Visual impairment (VI) is a loss of vision that cannot be fully corrected by standard means like glasses or surgery. It affects the cognitive, motor, and sensory skills including driving skills and prompt decision-making to executive visual functions required for safe driving. This survey aimed to evaluate the prevalence, socio-demographic, as well as driving related characteristics associated with visual impairment among drivers of commercial vehicles in Benin Metropolis, Edo State, Nigeria. This study adopts descriptive cross-section assessment of 341 commercial drivers of mean age 48.09 ± 11.21 years (range: 20 - 70 years) using purposive sampling technique. Data for the study were obtained using National Eye Institute Vision Functioning Questionnaire–25 modified for the study. Distance Snellen Chart was used to evaluate presenting visual acuity (PVA). IBM-SPSS version 29.0 was used in analysing the data, and factors associated with VI were tested with Chi-square statistics. An overall number of 341 commercial drivers were recruited of which males were 326 (95.6%). This study showed VI prevalence of 9.7%, with mild, moderate and severe VI of 2.1%, 7.3% and 0.3% respectively. Refractive error (39.2%) and cataract (21.6%) were the major determinants of VI. Senescence, lesser educational level and number of self-reported road traffic accidents were found to be statistically correlated with VI (P<0.05). The high prevalence of VI reported in this research could be a threat to safe driving if appropriate measures are not put in place to identify drivers with VI. We, therefore, recommend routine comprehensive eye evaluation of drivers preceding conferment and renewal of driving licence.