PERCEPTIONS AND PRACTICE OF MOBILE PHONES USE WHILE DRIVING AMONG THE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN, NIGERIA

Abstract

Mobile Phone (MP) accident-related distractions among young persons constitute a public health problem in many parts of the world including Nigeria. Previous studies on mobile phone use while driving (MPUWD) focused more on adults, commercial and non commercial drivers, thus leaving the practice among Nigerian university undergraduates relatively under-studied. This study was therefore designed to investigate the perceptions and practice of MPUWD among undergraduates in the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Using a descriptive cross-sectional design, a three-stage random sampling technique was used to select 400 consenting respondents from 4 faculties and 16 departments. A semi-structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information which included socio-demographic characteristics of students, prevalence of MP use and compensatory behaviors when using MPs. Perception of MPUWD was measured on a 6 point scale. Good and poor perception were categorised on ≥17 and <17 scores respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test at p =0.05. Respondents’ age was 22.7±4.6 years and 47.3% were males. Seventy-eight percent of respondents who drive engage in MPUWD, out of which 64.2% were males. Amongst the respondents who drive, 57.5% use hand-held (HH) and 42.5% use hands-free (HF ) MPs. Phone calls made while driving by respondents were reported as routine (72.6%) and emergency (27. 4%). Less than half (40.0%) of those who engaged in MPUWD reported one mishap or the other due to missing traffic signs (49. 3%) and loss of vehicle control (21.7%). Seventy-one percent of those who reported these mishaps were males. The decision to engage in MPUWD was determined by how important the communication was (20.6%), followed by social needs and good road network (13.0%). Few situations where respondents would not use MP included bad weather (16.4%) and fast-moving traffic (15.6%). Respondents with good and poor perception relating to MPUWD were 36.5% and 63.5% respectively. Majority (96.0%) of respondents perceived that MPUWD is dangerous only 21.0% of respondents who drive stopped their vehicles as compensatory behaviour and 70 % made no change in their driving behaviour. Significantly higher proportion (7.1%) of respondents aged ≥25 years than those aged 16-19 year (0.9%) perceived that MPUWD is not dangerous. Majority (66.3%) of the respondents supported bans on HH MPUWD compared with 19.3% who supported bans on HF MPs. The use of mobile phone while driving was perceived as dangerous even though majority of the undergraduate, especially male students practised it. Therefore, there is a need for education on hazards associated with the use of mobile phone while driving in the institution. This can be done through health promotion campaigns.