Abstract:
Background: Regardless of the road safety rules and regulations in place, boda-boda (commercial motorcycle riders) injuries remain a health problem and a burden of morbidity and mortality among boda-boda riders in Uganda. Road traffic injuries constitute one of the major public health concerns in many countries around the globe. The study aimed to determine the Factors associated with passenger safety and self-reported safe riding behaviors among boda-boda riders in Kampala Central Division.
Methodology: The study was cross sectional descriptive utilizing a convergent parallel mixed methods design. Quantitative and qualitative data was collected independently as guided by the PRECEDE meta-model. A structured survey questionnaire was administered to 424 boda-boda riders with the help of trained research assistants. Data was presented using descriptive and inferential statistics to identify patterns, correlations and Factors associated with safe behavior index (a measure used for safe riding behaviors and passenger safety). SPSS version 22.0 was utilized with a p-value <0.05 considered statistically significant. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 passengers regarding their safety and safe riding behaviors of their riders. Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify common themes and deeper insights into the motivations and barriers related to safe riding behaviors and passenger safety. Following analysis, quantitative and qualitative findings were compared to determine convergences and divergences thus providing a comprehensive understanding of the Factors associated with safe behavior index among boda-boda riders in Kampala. Mixed methods provide a more holistic understanding of the study subject.
Results: Riders had a mean age of 29.56 years, SD = 5.706. Out of the 424 boda-boda riders, 59.4% exhibited low safety behavioral index (n=252) while 40.6% exhibited high safety behavioral index (n=172). Binary Logistic regression analysis revealed predisposing (attitude), reinforcing (family influence) and enabling (emergency services & infrastructure and road conditions) factors as the Factors associated with safe riding behaviors.
Conclusion: Attitude, family influence, emergency services as well as infrastructure and roda conditions were the main Factors associated with passenger safety and safe riding behaviors. Additionally, qualitative data highlighted unavailability of helmets, over speeding by the riders, disregard of traffic regulations and poor road infrastructure as key factors in passenger safety.
Recommendation: while safety knowledge among riders was relatively high, sustained attitude change could require integrated interventions focusing on education, family support and enhancements in road infrastructure.
