KNOWLEDGE AND PREVENTIVE EYE CARE PRACTICES AMONG COMMERCIAL MOTORCYCLE RIDERS IN IBADAN SOUTH WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, IBADAN, OYO STATE

Abstract

Commercial motorcycles are the second most used modes and the most common form of informal transport system in Nigeria. This has posed a lot of hazards particularly accidents resulting in injuries and even death in severe cases to the motorcycle rider, passengers and even pedestrians. The knowledge and preventive eye care practices among commercial motorcycle riders has not been thoroughly investigated given that vision constitutes ninety-five percent (95%) of the sensory requirements for driving and riding of motorcycles, as well as good vision presenting as a critical determinant in prevention of road traffic accident while driving. This study was aimed at investigating the knowledge and preventive eye care practices among commercial motor cycle riders in Ibadan South West Local Government Area in Ibadan. The study adopted a descriptive cross – sectional study design. Two hundred and thirty-five commercial motorcycle riders in Ibadan South West Local Government Area were selected using a four-stage Multi Stage Sampling Technique. Data were collected using validated semi structured questionnaire which contained a 15-points knowledge scale and a 14-points practice scale, and a visual screening test form. A score of ൏ 8 and ൏11were categorised as poor knowledge and poor practice, respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at p=0.05 level of significance. Age of respondents was 37.6±8.0 years. The study showed that most of the respondents (39.6%) had fair knowledge of preventive eye care, 38.3% reported that good preventive eye care practice will aid vision and prevent accidents. However, 76.6% of the respondents had poor practice of preventive eye care, 26.8% had their eyes checked at least once a year by a specialist and 32.3% go to the eye doctor to have eyes checked/tested when they experienced problems with their eyes. On reasons why commercial motorcycle riders don’t go to a specialist for eye examination at least once a year, 34.9% reported eye test as being expensive and 3.8% reported poor awareness on eye care. On reasons why commercial motorcycle riders do not wear protective sunglasses when riding motorcycle, 23.8% reported poor awareness of its importance, 20.0% reported non –affordability. Ocular health evaluation of the respondents revealed the presence of Presbyopia (42.6%). There was a statistically significant difference between respondents level of knowledge and their practice of preventive eye care (p=0.000) while there was no significant difference between ocular health of respondents and practice of preventive eye care. The study revealed that respondents had fair knowledge and poor practice of preventive eye care. This means that their knowledge seemed to be unable to result in good practice of preventive eye care. It is thus recommended that commercial motorcycle riders be made to undergo regular eye test at least once a year at an eye care/health facility. Also, cost of eye test should be subsidized by the Government to make affordable, accessible and quality eye care available to all. Commercial motorcycle riders should be encouraged to wear protective sunglasses while riding their motorcycle through the use of mass media, opinion leaders, peer group and social support groups.