Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 2(5), pp. 154 - 162
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2014.020503
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Road Traffic Injuries Involving Illegal Blood Alcohol Levels and Psychoactive Drug Use in Côte d’Ivoire: A Hospital-based Study

Aïssata DIAKITE ^1,2,*, Blandine GADEGBEKU ¹, Sébastien Djédjé DANO ², Hélène YAPO ETTE ³, Koffi BOTTI ³, AngladeKla MALAN ^4,5, Bernard LAUMON ^6
1 Université de Lyon, F-69622, France; IFSTTAR, UMRESTTE, UMRT 9405, F-69675 Bron; Université Lyon 1, F-69373 Lyon
² Laboratoire de Toxicologie et Hygiène Agro-Industrielle (LTHAI), Département de Santé Publique, Hydrologie et Toxicologie – UFR Sciences Pharmaceutiques – Université Félix Houphouët Boigny, Abidjan Cocody, B.P. V34, Côte d’Ivoire
³ Unité de Médecine Légale d'Abidjan, Département de Médecine du Travail, Médecine Légale et Toxicologie, UFR Sciences Médicales, Université Félix Houphouët Boigny, Abidjan, 22 B.P. 1066 Abj 22, Côte d'Ivoire
⁴ Laboratoire de Chimie Analytique, Chimie Minérale et Chimie Générale. UFR Sciences Pharmaceutiques – Université Félix Houphouët Boigny, Abidjan Cocody, B.P. V34, Côte d’Ivoire
⁵ Laboratoire National de la Santé Publique (LNSP). 52 Boulevard de Marseille, 18 B.P. 2403, Abidjan 18, Côte d’Ivoire
⁶ Department of Transport, Health and Safety (TS2) - IFSTTAR, F-69675 Bron, France

ABSTRACT

In Côte d’Ivoire alcohol and drugs consumption in the general population is a serious issue. However, their role in Road Traffic Accidents (RTAs) has never been investigated. Our study aimed to estimate the prevalence of alcohol-impaired road users at the time of the RTA and report psychoactive drug use, in various categories of casualties, and in various circumstances of the crash. We conducted a cross-sectional study including 893 casualties involved in fatal or non-fatal RTAs and admitted at the Emergency Room or the Forensic Institute from March to September 2012. Blood alcohol dosage (BAC) and urine drug screening were carried out, and results were linked with hospital and police crash report data. The mean BAC in positive cases indicated heavy drinking before the crash: drivers (1.9 g/L), pedestrians (2.1 g/L), passengers (1.5 g/L). The prevalence of alcohol-impairment was significantly higher in drivers (41%) and riders (27%) compared to pedestrians (17%) and passengers (13%). Over 75% of casualties that tested positive for alcohol had a BAC largely above the legal limit. Psychoactive drug use was twice more prevalent in alcohol-impaired drivers than in sober drivers (20% vs 10%). Binge drinking is an emerging issue in African countries, which should be taken into account in the management or prevention of road traffic injuries.

KEYWORDS
Blood Alcohol Concentration, Drug Screening, Road Traffic Accident, Injuries, Prevalence, Côte d’Ivoire

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Aïssata DIAKITE , Blandine GADEGBEKU , Sébastien Djédjé DANO , Hélène YAPO ETTE , Koffi BOTTI , AngladeKla MALAN , Bernard LAUMON , "Road Traffic Injuries Involving Illegal Blood Alcohol Levels and Psychoactive Drug Use in Côte d’Ivoire: A Hospital-based Study," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 2, No. 5, pp. 154 - 162, 2014. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2014.020503.

(b). APA Format:
Aïssata DIAKITE , Blandine GADEGBEKU , Sébastien Djédjé DANO , Hélène YAPO ETTE , Koffi BOTTI , AngladeKla MALAN , Bernard LAUMON (2014). Road Traffic Injuries Involving Illegal Blood Alcohol Levels and Psychoactive Drug Use in Côte d’Ivoire: A Hospital-based Study. Universal Journal of Public Health, 2(5), 154 - 162. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2014.020503.