The Relationship Between Smoking, Accident and Visual Acuity Among Okada Riders in Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State
Despite its implication in disabilities and deaths, the prevalence of smoking is on the increase and the trend is worrisome among adolescents and young adults. Its relationship with accidents; a major cause of morbidity and death, has received little attention. This study therefore assesses the association between smoking, accidents and visual acuity. The study is a cross sectional descriptive study targeted at motor bike riders (Okada) in Ekpoma, the administrative headquarters of Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State. Using questionnaire, demographic profiles, history of smoking and accidents were obtain from 150 Okada riders who gave consent for the study. Visual acuity was assessed using the Snellen lettered chat following standard procedures. Data was analyzed using SPSS (version 20) and results presented in suitable tables. The results showed high poor visual acuity (104; 69.3%) and smoking strongly correlates with accident among the Okada riders. It was observed that Okada riders with poor visual acuity (both eyes) were 1.49 times more likely to have bike accident compared to those with good visual acuity. It was also observed that Okada rider who smokes is 1.01, 1.83 and 1.00 times more likely to have poor visual acuity in both, right and left eyes respectively compared to non-smokers. This study therefore indicates the need for visual screening exercise among Okada riders to abate the prevalence of accidents with a view of educating them on the danger of smoking.
Smoking, Accident, Visual Acuity, Okada Riders
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