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The Association between Mobile Phone Use and Severe Traffic Injuries: A Case-Control Study from Saudi Arabia

Author

Listed:
  • Suliman Alghnam

    (Population Health Section-King Abdullah International Medical Research Centre (KAIMRC), King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS), Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia)

  • Jawaher Towhari

    (College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia)

  • Mohamed Alkelya

    (Health Research Department, Saudi Health Council, Riyadh, 13315, Saudi Arabia)

  • Ahmad Alsaif

    (Community Medicine Department, King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh 12372, Saudi Arabia)

  • Mohamed Alrowaily

    (Community Medicine Department, King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh 12372, Saudi Arabia)

  • Fawaz Alrabeeah

    (King Abdulaziz Medical City, National Guard Healthcare Affairs, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia)

  • Ibrahim Albabtain

    (Department of Surgery, King Abdulaziz Medical City, National Guard Healthcare Affairs, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

Road traffic injury (RTI) is the third leading cause of death in Saudi Arabia. Using a mobile phone when driving is associated with distracted driving, which may result in RTIs. Because of limited empirical data, we investigated the association between mobile phone use and RTI in injured patients and community controls in Riyadh. Cases were patients admitted to King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC) between October 2016 and March 2018 due to RTIs. During admission, mobile phone use at the time of the accident was investigated. The controls were drivers observed at various locations citywide. A logistic regression model was constructed to estimate the association between mobile phone use while driving and sustaining RTIs. We included 318 cases and 1700 controls. For the cases, using a mobile phone was associated with higher severity and prevalence of disability. In addition, using a mobile phone while driving is associated with 44% higher odds of incurring a severe RTI ( p = 0.04). Mobile phone use while driving is prevalent in Riyadh and pose a significant threat of disability. In addition, the low prevalence of seatbelt use is alarming and requires significant improvement. Prevention programs may use these findings to educate the public and policymakers and to advocate for increased visibility of enforcement to reduce RTIs and improve population health.

Suggested Citation

  • Suliman Alghnam & Jawaher Towhari & Mohamed Alkelya & Ahmad Alsaif & Mohamed Alrowaily & Fawaz Alrabeeah & Ibrahim Albabtain, 2019. "The Association between Mobile Phone Use and Severe Traffic Injuries: A Case-Control Study from Saudi Arabia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-11, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:15:p:2706-:d:252790
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Carpenter, Christopher S. & Stehr, Mark, 2008. "The effects of mandatory seatbelt laws on seatbelt use, motor vehicle fatalities, and crash-related injuries among youths," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 27(3), pages 642-662, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jinhua Tan & Li Gong & Xuqian Qin, 2019. "Effect of Imitation Phenomenon on Two-Lane Traffic Safety in Fog Weather," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-15, October.
    2. Arshad Jamal & Muhammad Tauhidur Rahman & Hassan M. Al-Ahmadi & Umer Mansoor, 2019. "The Dilemma of Road Safety in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia: Consequences and Prevention Strategies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-23, December.
    3. Jinhua Tan & Xuqian Qin & Li Gong, 2020. "Using Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication to Improve Traffic Safety in Sand-dust Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-15, February.
    4. Mingyu Hou & Jianchuan Cheng & Feng Xiao & Chenzhu Wang, 2021. "Distracted Behavior of Pedestrians While Crossing Street: A Case Study in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-19, January.

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