A proportional odds model of risk behaviors associated with recurrent road traffic crashes among young adults in Kuwait.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this cross-sectional study were to i) assess one-year period prevalence of one, two, three or more road traffic crashes (RTCs) as an ordinal outcome and ii) identify the drivers' characteristics associated with this ordinal outcome among young adult drivers with propensity to recurrent RTCs in Kuwait. METHODS: During December 2016, 1465 students, 17 years old or older from 15 colleges of Kuwait University participated in this cross-sectional study. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. One-year period prevalence (95% confidence interval (CI)) of one, two, three or more RTCs was computed. Multivariable proportional odds model was used to identify the drivers' attributes associated with the ordinal outcome. RESULTS: One-year period prevalence (%) of one, two and three or more RTCs respectively was 23.1 (95% CI: 21.2, 25.6), 10.9 (95% CI: 9.4, 12.6), and 4.6 (95% CI: 3.6, 5.9). Participants were significantly (p < 0.05) more likely to be in higher RTCs count category than their current or lower RCTs count, if they habitually violated speed limit (adjusted proportional odds ratio (pORadjusted) = 1.40; 95% Cl: 1.13, 1.75), ran through red lights (pORadjusted = 1.64; 95%CI: 1.30, 2.06), frequently (≥ 3) received multiple (> 3) speeding tickets (pORadjusted = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.12, 2.38), frequently (> 10 times) violated no-parking zone during the past year (pORadjusted = 1.64; 95% CI: 1.06, 2.54) or being a patient with epilepsy (pORadjusted = 4.37; 95% CI: 1.63, 11.70). CONCLUSION: High one-year period prevalence of one, two and three or more RTCs was recorded. Targeted education based on identified drivers' attributes and stern enforcement of traffic laws may reduce the recurrent RTCs incidence in this and other similar populations in the region.

Period prevalence and factors associated with road traffic crashes among young adults in Kuwait.

OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study assessed one-year period prevalence of road traffic crashes (RTCs) and examined the factors associated with RTCs among young adults in Kuwait. DESIGN AND SETTINGS: During December 2016, 1500 students enrolled in 15 colleges of Kuwait University were invited to participate in the study. Students 18 years old or older and who drive by themselves were eligible. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire. One-year period prevalence of RTCs (≥1 vs. none) was computed. Multivariable log-binomial regression model was used to identify the risk factors associated with one-year period prevalence of RTCs. RESULTS: Of 1500 invited individuals, 1465 (97.7%) participated, of which 71.4% (1046/1465) were female, 56.4% (804/1426) were aged between 21 and 25 years, and 67.1% (980/1460) were Kuwaitis. One-year period prevalence of RTC was 38.9%. The final multivariable log-binomial regression model showed that after adjusting for the influences of other variables in the model, participants were more likely to have had at least one RTC during the past year, if they habitually sped over limit (adjusted PR = 1.19; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04-1.36), crossed a red light (adjusted PR = 1.33; 95% CI: 1.16-1.52), or if they have had three or more speeding tickets (adjusted PR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.13-1.73) compared to those who reportedly had no RTC during the same period. CONCLUSION: One-year period prevalence of RTCs among university students in Kuwait, though relatively lower than the reported figures in similar populations elsewhere in the region, is yet high enough to warrant diligent attention. Habitual speeding, having had three or more speeding tickets, and the practice of crossing a red light were significantly and independently associated with at least one RTC during the past year. Targeted education and enforcement of existing traffic laws may reduce the RTCs frequency in this relatively young population. Future studies may look at impact of such interventions.