Abstract
This study aimed to assess risky driving behaviours among medical students in Erbil, Iraq, and to explore the relationship between risky driving behaviours and perceptions of risky driving. This self-administered questionnaire-based survey was conducted from January to May 2014 among a random sample of 400 medical students at Hawler Medical University in Erbil. The questionnaire was designed to assess the frequency of engagement in 21 risky driving behaviours, the perceived risk of each behaviour and the preference for each behaviour as ranked on a 5-point scale. A total of 386 students responded to the survey (response rate: 96.5%). Of these, 211 reported that they currently drove a vehicle (54.7%). Drivers most frequently engaged in the following behaviours: playing loud music (35.9%), speeding (30.4%), allowing front seat passengers to not wear seat belts (27.9%) and using mobile phones (27.7%). Least frequent driving behaviours included not stopping at a red light (3.9%), driving while sleepy (4.4%), driving after a mild to moderate intake of alcohol (4.5%) and drunk driving (6.4%). Mean risky driving behaviour scores were significantly higher among males (P <0.001) and those who owned a car (P = 0.002). The mean risk perception score was higher among >20-year-olds (P = 0.028). There was a significant positive relationship between the preference for risky behaviours and risky driving behaviours (beta = 0.44; P <0.001). Medical students in Erbil reported high frequencies of several serious risky driving behaviours. The preference for risky behaviours was found to be an important predictor of risky driving behaviours among medical students in Erbil.
Highlights
This study aimed to assess risky driving behaviours among medical students in Erbil, Iraq, and to explore the relationship between risky driving behaviours and perceptions of risky driving
It is concerning that many of the medical students, who will be in direct contact with the victims of road traffic accidents once they have graduated, are themselves frequently engaged in risky driving behaviour
Participants indicated on a 5-point scale how frequently they usually engaged in the behaviour when driving (1 = never, 2 = rarely, 3 = sometimes, 4 = frequently and 5 = always), their perception of the risk associated with the behaviour (1 = not risky at all, 2 = slightly risky, 3 = fairly risky, 4 = very risky and 5 = extremely risky) and their enjoyment of the behaviour (1 = strongly dislike, 2 = dislike slightly, 3 = neutral, 4 = like slightly and 5 = strongly like)
Summary
Abstract: Objectives: This study aimed to assess risky driving behaviours among medical students in Erbil, Iraq, and to explore the relationship between risky driving behaviours and perceptions of risky driving. The questionnaire was designed to assess the frequency of engagement in 21 risky driving behaviours, the perceived risk of each behaviour and the preference for each behaviour as ranked on a 5-point scale. Conclusion: Medical students in Erbil reported high frequencies of several serious risky driving behaviours. The preference for risky behaviours was found to be an important predictor of risky driving behaviours among medical students in Erbil. Advances in Knowledge - Risky driving behaviour was common among the studied group of medical students in Erbil, Iraq. - Enjoyment of risky behaviours was found to be an important predictor of risky driving among this sample of medical students. It is concerning that many of the medical students, who will be in direct contact with the victims of road traffic accidents once they have graduated, are themselves frequently engaged in risky driving behaviour. The results of this study may inform future public health programmes targeted at this population
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