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Research Article
Visual Assessment of Commercial Drivers in the South West Region of Cameroon
Eleanor Nche
Hadassah Medical Center
Corresponding Author
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Background: Driving is a visually intensive task. In Cameroon where the burden of road traffic deaths is high, visual assessment is not universally performed before the issuance of driver’s licenses. This study assesses the visual status of commercial drivers (CDs) in the Southwest Region of Cameroon.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional community-based study on CDs in Limbe and Buea. Questionnaires were used to assess socio-demographic parameters, the incidence of road traffic crashes (RTCs), and self-reported visual status. Visual acuity (VA) was measured using a standard Snellen chart at 6 meters. Statistical analysis was done using descriptive methods; frequencies, paired Student’s t-test, and Chi-square test.
Results: 207 CDs were enrolled. All were male, with a mean age of 41.8 ± 12.1 years. 15.0% had undergone an eye exam prior to licensure, and 3.4% within the past 10 years. VA in the better-seeing eye was less than 6/9 and 6/12 in 14.1%, and 10.6% of CDs, respectively. 75% of CDs with self-reported poor vision and 95% of CDs with VA < 0.5 had a history of an RTC compared to 55.8% of CDs with self-reported good vision and 55.7% of CDs with VA ≥ 0.5 (p<0.05). Injuries from RTCs were more common in CDs with self-reported poor vision (81.1%) and in those with VA<0.5 (90.5%) compared to CDs who self-reported good vision (55.8%) and those with VA ≥ 0.5 (55.7%) p<0.05.
Conclusion: A large proportion of CDs did not have a visual assessment before the issuance or renewal of their driver’s licenses. A considerable number had poor vision in their better-seeing eye and suffered more from RTCs and related injuries. The concerned authorities should consider making vision tests a necessary requirement for the obtention of driver’s licenses.
Keywords
Driving, Visual acuity, Road traffic crashes, Cameroon
Figure 1
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CURRENT STATUS: Under Revision
Version 1
Posted 29 Dec, 2020
No community comments so far
Editorial decision: Major revision
On 19 Jan, 2021
Review #3 received
Received 30 Dec, 2020
Review #5 received
Received 30 Dec, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 30 Dec, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 30 Dec, 2020
Review #4 received
Received 30 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #7 agreed
On 27 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 27 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #3 agreed
On 27 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #9 agreed
On 27 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #6 agreed
On 27 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #5 agreed
On 27 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #4 agreed
On 27 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #8 agreed
On 27 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 27 Dec, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 27 Dec, 2020
Editor assigned
On 24 Dec, 2020
Editor invited
On 24 Dec, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 24 Dec, 2020
First submitted
On 22 Dec, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Ophthalmology
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This preprint is under consideration at BMC Ophthalmology. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Learn more about In Review
Research Article
Visual Assessment of Commercial Drivers in the South West Region of Cameroon
Eleanor Nche
Hadassah Medical Center
Corresponding Author
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Revision
Version 1
Posted 29 Dec, 2020
No community comments so far
Editorial decision: Major revision
On 19 Jan, 2021
Review #3 received
Received 30 Dec, 2020
Review #5 received
Received 30 Dec, 2020
Review #2 received
Received 30 Dec, 2020
Review #1 received
Received 30 Dec, 2020
Review #4 received
Received 30 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #7 agreed
On 27 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #2 agreed
On 27 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #3 agreed
On 27 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #9 agreed
On 27 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #6 agreed
On 27 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #5 agreed
On 27 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #4 agreed
On 27 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #8 agreed
On 27 Dec, 2020
Reviewer #1 agreed
On 27 Dec, 2020
Reviewers invited
Invitations sent on 27 Dec, 2020
Editor assigned
On 24 Dec, 2020
Editor invited
On 24 Dec, 2020
Submission checks complete
On 24 Dec, 2020
First submitted
On 22 Dec, 2020
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
Subject Areas
Ophthalmology
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Background: Driving is a visually intensive task. In Cameroon where the burden of road traffic deaths is high, visual assessment is not universally performed before the issuance of driver’s licenses. This study assesses the visual status of commercial drivers (CDs) in the Southwest Region of Cameroon.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional community-based study on CDs in Limbe and Buea. Questionnaires were used to assess socio-demographic parameters, the incidence of road traffic crashes (RTCs), and self-reported visual status. Visual acuity (VA) was measured using a standard Snellen chart at 6 meters. Statistical analysis was done using descriptive methods; frequencies, paired Student’s t-test, and Chi-square test.
Results: 207 CDs were enrolled. All were male, with a mean age of 41.8 ± 12.1 years. 15.0% had undergone an eye exam prior to licensure, and 3.4% within the past 10 years. VA in the better-seeing eye was less than 6/9 and 6/12 in 14.1%, and 10.6% of CDs, respectively. 75% of CDs with self-reported poor vision and 95% of CDs with VA < 0.5 had a history of an RTC compared to 55.8% of CDs with self-reported good vision and 55.7% of CDs with VA ≥ 0.5 (p<0.05). Injuries from RTCs were more common in CDs with self-reported poor vision (81.1%) and in those with VA<0.5 (90.5%) compared to CDs who self-reported good vision (55.8%) and those with VA ≥ 0.5 (55.7%) p<0.05.
Conclusion: A large proportion of CDs did not have a visual assessment before the issuance or renewal of their driver’s licenses. A considerable number had poor vision in their better-seeing eye and suffered more from RTCs and related injuries. The concerned authorities should consider making vision tests a necessary requirement for the obtention of driver’s licenses.
Figure 1