Safety Implications Research Articles

Altered liver metabolism post-wean abolishes efficacy of vitamin D for breast cancer prevention in a mouse model.

In a rodent model of postpartum breast cancer, weaning suppresses hepatic CYP450 activity and renders vitamin D supplementation ineffective, with implications for xenobiotic drug efficacy and safety. A tailored approach to therapy based on reproductive history is crucial for young breast cancer patients, and for healthcare strategies for postpartum women.

Complexity and Change: Antecedents of occupational injuries

Today’s environment requires operations and supply chains to be adaptable and flexible, leading to a constant state of change. This complex business environment presents multiple difficulties in managing occupational safety. To date, safety research has largely focused on the complexity of a firm’s operations, directly linking the complexity of the operational environment to workforce safety. This research explores the effect of complexity on occupational injuries from multiple dimensions (operational, supply chain and market) to answer the question: “Do the absolute level of complexity and changes in the level of complexity exert a negative effect on a company’s safety performance?” Using secondary data from global companies listed in the United States, our results indicate that an increase in occupational injuries is generally associated with higher levels of operational complexity. This study contributes to the existing literature by conceptually and empirically confirming that supply chain and market complexity have negative implications for occupational safety. The findings also extend the existing literature, showing that an increase in the level of complexity leads to a significant increase in occupational injuries, while a decrease in complexity does not necessarily reduce occupational injuries. Our findings suggest that practitioners should be aware of the implications for safety performance when making structural decisions that create greater complexity. Furthermore, the findings also inform policymakers and regulators, suggesting that companies that are exposed to more complexity − even complexity that is exogenous to the operations − require greater attention in monitoring and auditing to ensure the safety of the workforce.

Microbial vectoring capacity by internal- and external-infesting stored product insects after varying dispersal periods between novel food patches: An underestimated risk.

Understanding the ability of internal- and external-infesting stored product insects to vector microbes is important for estimating the relative risk that insects pose to postharvest commodities as they move between habitat patches and in the landscape. Thus, the aim of the current study was to evaluate and compare the microbial growth in novel food patches at different dispersal periods by different populations of Sitophilus oryzae (e.g., internal-infesting) and Lasioderma serricorne (e.g., external-infesting). Adults of both species collected from laboratory colonies or field-captured populations were either placed immediately in a novel food patch, or given a dispersal period of 24 or 72 h in a sterilized environment before entering a surrogate food patch. Vectored microbes in new food patches were imaged after 3 or 5 days of foraging, and microbial growth was processed using ImageJ while fungal species were identified through sequencing the ITS4/5 ribosomal subunit. We found that increasing dispersal time resulted in multiple-fold reductions in microbial growth surrogate food patches by L. serricorne but not S. oryzae. This was likely attributable to higher mobility by S. oryzae than L. serricorne. A total of 20 morphospecies were identified from 13 genera among the 59 sequences, with a total of 23% and 16% classified as Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. Our data suggest that there is a persistent risk of microbial contamination by both species, which has important food safety implications at food facilities.

Hyperparameter optimization of YOLOv8 for smoke and wildfire detection: Implications for agricultural and environmental safety

In this study, we extensively evaluated the viability of the state-of-the-art YOLOv8 architecture for object detection tasks, specifically tailored for smoke and wildfire identification with a focus on agricultural and environmental safety. All available versions of YOLOv8 were initially fine-tuned on a domain-specific dataset that included a variety of scenarios, crucial for comprehensive agricultural monitoring. The ‘large’ version (YOLOv8l) was selected for further hyperparameter tuning based on its performance metrics. This model underwent a detailed hyperparameter optimization using the One Factor At a Time (OFAT) methodology, concentrating on key parameters such as learning rate, batch size, weight decay, epochs, and optimizer. Insights from the OFAT study were used to define search spaces for a subsequent Random Search (RS). The final model derived from RS demonstrated significant improvements over the initial fine-tuned model, increasing overall precision by 1.39 %, recall by 1.48 %, F1-score by 1.44 %, mAP@0.50 by 0.70 %, and mAP@0.50:0.95 by 5.09 %. We validated the enhanced model's efficacy on a diverse set of real-world images, reflecting various agricultural settings, to confirm its robustness in detecting smoke and fire. These results underscore the model's reliability and effectiveness in scenarios critical to agricultural safety and environmental monitoring. This work, representing a significant advancement in the field of fire and smoke detection through machine learning, lays a strong foundation for future research and solutions aimed at safeguarding agricultural areas and natural environments.

Characterization of kratom use and knowledge at a rural, Oregon community health center

BackgroundKratom is an herbal supplement that has drawn attention for its use in the self-treatment of opioid withdrawal, and its widespread availability with minimal restrictions. Past Web-based research has attempted to determine patterns and trends of use, but generalizability to underserved populations is unclear. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to characterize behavior related to kratom, attitudes toward kratom, and knowledge of kratom in a rural, underserved population. MethodsWe developed, refined, and administered a cross-sectional, 36-item survey to examine use, attitudes, and knowledge of kratom. We recruited participants and administered the survey alongside medical office appointments between January and April 2023. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics. ResultsA convenient sample of 186 patients (of the 907-patient clinic panel) were invited to participate and 150 returned the survey. Most patients were female (52.0%) and white (86.6%), and approximately half had an income below the federal poverty level (48.5%). Seventeen participants reported previous experience with kratom use, with one actively using kratom. The most commonly reported reasons for use were pain (47.1%) and mental health (41.2%). Kratom knowledge was low regardless of kratom use history, with most respondents correctly answering between 1 and 3 questions (n = 71 of 86; 82.3%) of the 5 knowledge-focused items. ConclusionResults suggest that although active kratom use is uncommon in this Oregon population, 1 in 10 surveyed had used kratom. Regardless of past use, respondents had limited knowledge of kratom. Future research should focus on understanding trends in kratom use behaviors in underserved populations, addressing patient knowledge gaps, and evaluating patient safety and health equity implications.

Technological advancements in drilling: A comparative analysis of onshore and offshore applications

This paper examines the technological advancements in onshore and offshore drilling operations, emphasizing their significance, challenges, and environmental considerations. Technological innovations, including automation, data analytics, and real-time monitoring, have transformed drilling practices, enhancing efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability. By comparing onshore and offshore applications, the paper evaluates the effectiveness of these advancements in addressing the unique challenges of each environment. Key areas of focus include efficiency improvements, safety enhancements, environmental impacts, and regulatory compliance. Through case studies and analysis, the study aims to provide valuable insights into the current state of onshore and offshore drilling operations and identify opportunities for innovation and improvement. Ultimately, the findings contribute to advancing sustainable practices, mitigating environmental risks, and fostering responsible resource extraction in the oil and gas industry. This comparative study delves into the dynamic landscape of technological advancements within onshore and offshore drilling operations. It explores the evolving role of automation, data analytics, and real-time monitoring in revolutionizing drilling practices, offering insights into their implications for efficiency, safety, and environmental stewardship. By juxtaposing the unique challenges and operational requirements of onshore and offshore environments, the study underscores the importance of a nuanced understanding of technological applications. Through rigorous analysis and case studies, it illuminates the interplay between advancements and environmental considerations, shedding light on opportunities for innovation and sustainable development. The study's comprehensive scope encompasses efficiency gains, safety protocols, environmental impact mitigation, and regulatory compliance, providing a holistic view of the transformative potential of technology in the drilling industry. Ultimately, the study serves as a catalyst for informed decision-making, fostering dialogue, and driving forward-looking strategies for the future of onshore and offshore drilling operations.

Ethyl acetate in e-liquids: Implications for breath testing.

Electronic cigarette liquids (e-liquids) can contain a variety of chemicals to impart flavors, smells and pharmacological effects. Surveillance studies have identified hundreds of chemicals used in e-liquids that have known health and safety implications. Ethyl acetate has been identified as a common constituent of e-liquids. Ethyl acetate is rapidly hydrolyzed to ethanol in vivo. Animal studies have demonstrated that inhaling >2,000 mg/L ethyl acetate can lead to the accumulation of ethanol in the blood at concentrations >1,000 mg/L, or 0.10%. A "Heisenberg" e-liquid was submitted to the Laboratory for Forensic Toxicology Research for analysis after a random workplace drug test resulted in a breath test result of 0.019% for a safety-sensitive position employee. Analysis of this sample resulted in the detection of 1,488 ± 6 mg/L ethyl acetate. The evaluation of purchased "Heisenberg" e-liquids determined that these products contain ethyl acetate. The identification of ethyl acetate in e-liquids demonstrates poor regulatory oversight and enforcement that potentially has consequences for breath ethanol testing and interpretations. The accumulation of ethanol in the breath from the ingestion/inhalation of ethyl acetate from an e-liquid used prior to a breath test may contribute to the detection of ethanol.

Genomics Characterization of Colistin Resistant Escherichia coli from Chicken Meat-the First Report in the United Arab Emirates.

Plasmid-mediated colistin resistance is an emerging One Health challenge at the human-food-environment interface. In this study, 12 colistin-resistant Escherichia coli carrying mcr-1.1 gene were characterized using whole-genome sequencing. This is the first report from locally produced chicken meat in the United Arab Emirates. The characterized isolates harbored virulence-associated factors ranging from 4 to 17 genes per isolate. The multilocus sequence type 1011 was identified in 5 (41.6%) isolates. Six (50.0%) of the isolates harbored blaCTX-M-55. All of the E. coli isolates contained Incl2 plasmids. This study highlights for the first time chicken meat as a potential reservoir of mcr-1.1 carrying E. coli in the UAE. This study has implications for food safety and underscores the need for comprehensive surveillance strategies to monitor the spread of colistin resistance. Results presented in this short communication address knowledge gaps on the epidemiology of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance in the Middle East food production chain.

Omalizumab for the reduction of allergic reactions to foods: a narrative review.

The frequency of food allergies varies between 2% and 10%, depending on characteristics including age, region, race, and method of diagnosis self-reported by patients or oral food challenges (OFCs). The most common allergies reported are tree nuts (1.2%), milk (1.9%), peanuts (2.2%), and shellfish (1.3%). Omalizumab injection has now been approved by the FDA for the treatment of immunoglobulin E-mediated food allergies in specific adults and children aged one year or older. This medication reduces the risk of allergic reactions (Type I), which can include anaphylaxis, when an individual accidentally encounters one or more food allergens. Omalizumab functions by binding to IgE and altering IgE-mediated pathways, which lessens IgE's capacity to cause allergic reactions. Promising outcomes from clinical trials and case studies include lowered anaphylactic risk and enhanced tolerance to allergens. Omalizumab, however, may have adverse effects; thus, close observation is required. Overall, this review sheds light on the efficacy, safety, and clinical implications of omalizumab, highlighting its potential as a useful intervention for IgE-mediated food allergies.

Systematic review: The use of large language models as medical chatbots in digestive diseases.

Interest in large language models (LLMs), such as OpenAI's ChatGPT, across multiple specialties has grown as a source of patient-facing medical advice and provider-facing clinical decision support. The accuracy of LLM responses for gastroenterology and hepatology-related questions is unknown. To evaluate the accuracy and potential safety implications for LLMs for the diagnosis, management and treatment of questions related to gastroenterology and hepatology. We conducted a systematic literature search including Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Ovid Embase, Ovid MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus and the Web of Science Core Collection to identify relevant articles published from inception until January 28, 2024, using a combination of keywords and controlled vocabulary for LLMs and gastroenterology or hepatology. Accuracy was defined as the percentage of entirely correct answers. Among the 1671 reports screened, we identified 33 full-text articles on using LLMs in gastroenterology and hepatology and included 18 in the final analysis. The accuracy of question-responding varied across different model versions. For example, accuracy ranged from 6.4% to 45.5% with ChatGPT-3.5 and was between 40% and 91.4% with ChatGPT-4. In addition, the absence of standardised methodology and reporting metrics for studies involving LLMs places all the studies at a high risk of bias and does not allow for the generalisation of single-study results. Current general-purpose LLMs have unacceptably low accuracy on clinical gastroenterology and hepatology tasks, which may lead to adverse patient safety events through incorrect information or triage recommendations, which might overburden healthcare systems or delay necessary care.

Effects of washing with boric acid solutions on residual boric acid content, microbiological load, and quality of fresh-cut spinach

Insufficient disinfection of fresh-cut spinach poses significant health risks, along with potential issues like odor, color changes, and softening during short-term storage. To address these challenges, boric acid solutions were explored as an alternative to chlorine washes, which are known to produce toxic compounds. Among various concentrations, 1 % boric acid exhibited the most effective microbial inactivation, leading to substantial reductions in total mesophilic aerobic bacteria, total yeast and mold, and Enterobacteriaceae counts, with reductions of 1.64, 1.38, and 1.77 logs, respectively. Additionally, washing spinach leaves with this solution for 1 min maintained quality parameters, with enhanced antioxidant activity (55.26 mg kg−1 Trolox equivalent), increased total phenolic content (1214.06 mg kg−1 gallic acid equivalent), retention of chlorophyll a (839.16 mg kg−1), chlorophyll b (539.61 mg kg−1) and ascorbic acid content (264.72 mg kg−1). Mechanical properties such as puncture strength (1.81 N) and puncture distance (52.78 mm) also showed favorable outcomes, alongside optimal moisture content at 89.81 %. Notably, residual boric acid content was lowest in spinach leaves (1252.49 mg kg−1) and highest in the wash water (53.88 mg kg−1) after treatment. Scanning electron microscopy images demonstrated maintained tissue integrity, while Hunter Lab readings indicated minimal color changes post-washing. Additionally, sensory evaluations and various physicochemical analyses further supported the efficacy of boric acid washing. Consequently, washing spinach leaves with a 1 % boric acid solution for 1 min yielded favorable results across multiple quality parameters. These findings suggest the potential of boric acid as a safe and effective alternative disinfectant in the fresh-cut produce industry, highlighting its practical implications for food safety and quality. Future research should focus on exploring long-term effects and optimizing washing protocols for broader applications.

P.077 Reducing artifact during in bi-directional brain interfacing

Background: Bi-directional brain interfacing (closed loop DBS) is a modern focus of neuroengineering research. Most current clinical systems are open loop, allowing one way communication from the IPG battery to the brain. Bi-directional systems allow both stimulation and recording of neural activity (local field potential, LFP). The system algorithm can measure known pathologic LFPs to guide change in stimulation. However, recording LFPs from the brain encounters electrical artifact from the heart. Reducing artifact is imperative to accurate measurement of neural activity. Artifact will cause the bi-directional system to miscalculate stimulation parameters. This project evaluated reduction of artifact by moving the IPG further away from the heart in a device implanted into the skull. Methods: LFP data from ongoing clinical trials was collected and analysed for artifact using open source code. Anatomic targets include STN, PPN, CMT, and PAG. Results: Cardiac artifact is reduced in skull mounted DBS as shown by power spectral density of LFPs in each region. Conclusions: This project shows the importance of surgical placement of DBS sensing devices to reduce cardiac artifact in bi-directional brain interfacing. This has important engineering and surgical design implications for safety and performance as the field of closed loop DBS transitions from research to clinical settings.

Proteome-wide Mendelian randomization identifies potential therapeutic targets for nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the predominant cause of liver pathology. Current evidence highlights plasma proteins as potential therapeutic targets. However, their mechanistic roles in NAFLD remain unclear. This study investigated the involvement of specific plasma proteins and intermediate risk factors in NAFLD progression. Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was conducted to examine the association between plasma proteins and NAFLD. Colocalization analysis determined the shared causal variants between the identified proteins and NAFLD. The MR analysis was applied separately to proteins, risk factors, and NAFLD. Mediator shares were computed by detecting the correlations among these elements. Phenome-wide association studies (phewas) were utilized to assess the safety implications of targeting these proteins. Among 1,834 cis-protein quantitative trait loci (cis-pQTLs), after-FDR correction revealed correlations between the plasma levels of four gene-predicted proteins (CSPG3, CILP2, Apo-E, and GCKR) and NAFLD. Colocalization analysis indicated shared causal variants for CSPG3 and GCKR in NAFLD (posterior probability > 0.8). Out of the 22 risk factors screened for MR analysis, only 8 showed associations with NAFLD (p ≤ 0.05), while 4 linked to CSPG3 and GCKR. The mediator shares for these associations were calculated separately. Additionally, reverse MR analysis was performed on the pQTLs, risk factors, and NAFLD, which exhibited a causal relationship with forward MR analysis. Finally, phewas summarized the potential side effects of associated-targeting proteins, including CSPG3 and GCKR. Our research emphasized the potential therapeutic targets for NAFLD and provided modifiable risk factors for preventing NAFLD.

Analyzing Potential Failures and Effects in a Pilot-Scale Biomass Preprocessing Facility for Improved Reliability

This study demonstrates a failure identification methodology applied to a preprocessing facility generating conversion-ready feedstocks from biomass meeting conversion process critical quality attribute (CQA) specifications. Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) was used as an industrially relevant risk analysis approach to evaluate a logging residue preprocessing system to prepare feedstock for pyrolysis conversion. Risk evaluations considered both system-level and operation unit-level assessments considering process efficiency, product quality, cost, sustainability, and safety. Key outputs included estimations of semi-quantitative risk scores for each failure, identification of the failure impacts, identification of failure causes associated with material attributes and process parameters, ranking success rates of failure detection methods, and speculation of potential mitigation strategies for decreasing failure risk scores. Results showed that deviations from moisture specifications had cascading consequences for other CQAs along with process safety implications. Failures linked to fixed carbon specifications carried the highest risk scores for product quality and process efficiency impacts. As increased throughput can be inversely related to meeting product quality specifications; achieving throughput and other material-based CQAs simultaneously will likely require system optimization or prioritization based on system economics. Ultimately, this work successfully demonstrates FMEA as a risk analysis approach for other bioenergy process systems.

Exploring the link between sacral neuromodulation and body balance mechanism

As the therapeutic mechanisms of Sacral Neuromodulation (SNM) continue to be investigated, recent long-term outcome study has revealed a intrigue association between SNM therapy and reported falls in patients. This observation has led to the formulation of a hypothesis suggesting that SNM may influence balance control during locomotion by altering sciatic nerve transmission, potentially contributing to an increased risk of falls. This concise article explores the hypothesis, emphasizing the need for further research to elucidate the potential connection between SNM and balance disorders. Understanding this link holds implications for patient safety and may further improve the optimization of SNM therapy.

Assessment of Nurses’ Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Physical Restraint: A Scoping Review

The use of physical restraints (PR) in healthcare settings, especially in psychiatric units, is a controversial topic. The attitude, knowledge, and practices of nurses towards PR can influence its application, which raises concerns about the balance between patient safety and individual rights. With mental disorders being a leading cause of disability globally, understanding the complexities surrounding PR use becomes paramount. A comprehensive literature review was conducted using multiple databases, including PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ProQuest, The Cochrane Library, the Saudi Digital Library, and Google Scholar. The search spanned literature published up to December 2022, focusing on studies that explored the relationship between nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding PR in psychiatric settings. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to filter out relevant studies. From 220 records initially retrieved, 12 articles were identified for the final review. The reviewed studies highlighted a moderate knowledge and attitude among nurses concerning PR. Many nurses were found to be uncertain about the reasons for PR application and its alternatives. Educational interventions were emphasized in several studies as beneficial in improving nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices. However, inconsistencies were observed regarding the impact of these interventions on nurses’ attitudes. Experience, higher education, and continuous training sessions were found to be correlated with better knowledge and more favourable attitudes towards PR. This review emphasizes the critical need for consistent training and education for nurses regarding PR, given the profound implications for patient care and safety. While educational interventions show promise in enhancing knowledge and practice, their impact on attitudes remains contested. Future research should consider the gaps identified in this review, including the exploration of alternatives to PR, larger sample sizes and longitudinal studies to understand the long-term effects of interventions.

Organ-specific mercury stable isotopes, speciation and particle measurements reveal methylmercury detoxification processes in Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

Identifying metabolism and detoxification mechanisms of Hg in biota has important implications for biomonitoring, ecotoxicology, and food safety. Compared to marine mammals and waterbirds, detoxification of MeHg in fish is understudied. Here, we investigated Hg detoxification in Atlantic bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus using organ-specific Hg and Se speciation data, stable Hg isotope signatures, and Hg and Se particle measurements in multiple tissues. Our results provide evidence for in vivo demethylation and biomineralization of HgSe particles, particularly in spleen and kidney. We observed a maximum range of 1.83‰ for δ202Hg between spleen and lean muscle, whereas Δ199Hg values were similar across all tissues. Mean percent methylmercury ranged from 8% in spleen to 90% in lean muscle. The particulate masses of Hg and Se were higher in spleen and kidney (Hg: 61% and 59%, Se: 12% and 6%, respectively) compared to muscle (Hg: 2%, Se: 0.05%). Our data supports the hypothesis of an organ-specific, two-step detoxification of methylmercury in wild marine fish, consisting of demethylation and biomineralization, like reported for waterbirds. While mass dependent fractionation signatures were highly organ specific, stable mass independent fractionation signatures across all tissues make them potential candidates for source apportionment studies of Hg using ABFT.

Influence of regional and yearly weather patterns on multi-mycotoxin occurrence in Austrian wheat: a liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometric and multivariate statistics approach.

Mycotoxin surveys play an essential role in our food safety system. The obtained occurrence data form the basis for the assessment of the exposure of humans and animals to these toxic fungal secondary metabolites. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has become the gold standard for mycotoxin determination because it enables selective and sensitive multi-toxin analysis. Simultaneous determination of several hundreds of secondary fungal metabolites is feasible using this technique. In this study, we combined a targeted dilute-and-shoot LC-MS/MS-based multi-analyte approach with multivariate statistics for the analysis of Austrian wheat from two different years and different geographical origins. We quantified 47 secondary fungal metabolites, including regulated emerging and masked mycotoxins. The resulting multi-mycotoxin occurrence data were further analyzed using both multivariate and univariate statistics. Principal component analysis (PCA) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) simultaneous component analysis (ASCA) were employed to identify regional and yearly trends within the dataset and to quantify the variance in metabolite occurrence attributed to the different effects. In addition, secondary fungal metabolites significantly impacted by these factors were selected via ANOVA. Of the 47 secondary metabolites identified, 39 were affected by the year, region or a combined effect. Moreover, our findings show that 43 of the secondary fungal metabolites were significantly influenced by the weather conditions. The results presented in this study underline the added value of combining targeted LC-MS/MS with multivariate statistics for monitoring a broad spectrum of secondary fungal metabolites in food crops. Through multivariate statistics, trends associated with the year or region can be readily studied. The approach presented could pave the way for a better understanding of the impact of climate change on plant pathogenic fungi and its implications for food safety. © 2024 The Author(s). Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Observation of high sediment concentrations entrained in jumble river ice

AbstractIce formation is generally considered to exclude many particles and most solutes and thus be relatively pure compared to ambient waters. Because river ice forms by a combination of thermal and mechanical processes, some level of sediment entrainment in the ice column is likely, though reports of sediment in river ice are limited. We observed high and sporadic levels of silt and sand in ice of the Kuskokwim and Tanana rivers (Alaska, the United States) during routine field studies. These observations led us to make a more comprehensive survey of sediment entrainment in river ice of the Kuskokwim and Yukon rivers and several of their tributaries. We collected and subsampled 48 ice cores from 19 different river locations in March 2023, which included concurrent measurements of water turbidity, velocity, and depth. Approximately 60% of cores contained detectable levels of sediment, averaging 438 mg/L with median concentrations exceeding 1000 mg/L in three cores from the Yukon and Kuskokwim main stems. Many cores had even higher concentrations at certain intervals, with seven cores having subsamples exceeding 2000 mg/L; these were often located in the middle or lower portion of the ice column. Jumble ice, formed mechanically by frazil‐pan jamming during freeze‐up, was generally the best predictor of higher sediment entrainment, and these locations often had higher under‐ice velocities and depths. Our observation of high and widespread sediment entrainment in northern river ice, particularly in jumble‐ice fields, may have implications for sediment transport regimes, ice strength and transportation safety, and how rivers break up in the springtime.

Distraction and related risk factors among professional and non-professional drivers

BackgroundDistraction is one of the main driver's behavioral factors that reduces the performance of the drivers and might increase the accident risk. Distraction while driving holds significant importance, especially among professional drivers, and failure to address this matter may result in adverse implications for traffic safety. The present study was conducted to investigate distraction and related risk factors between two groups of private vehicle drivers and taxi drivers. MethodsThis analytical cross-sectional study was carried out in Tabriz, Iran in 2022. The total sample size in this study was 701 taxi drivers, professional drivers, and private vehicle drivers. The independent samples t-test was used to determine the statistically significant difference between groups and its sub-scales between the two studied groups. Moreover, the multivariable linear regression analysis was used to determine the predictors that affect distraction score. The test's level of significance was considered at 0.05. ResultsThe mean distraction score among taxi drivers surpasses that of private vehicle drivers (2.82 vs. 2.32, p-value<0.05). The drivers with negative scores, over the past year, among private vehicle drivers and taxi drivers were 2.5 % and 5.2 %, respectively (p-value<0.05). A group of taxi drivers exhibits a higher level of distraction while driving and the mean distraction score for private vehicle drivers is lower than that of taxi drivers (β = −0.11, CI 95 %: 0.17, −0.05). Also, a history of damage or injury accidents has a significant impact on distraction while driving (β = 0.12, CI 95 %; 0.06–0.17). ConclusionsThe results indicate that distraction while driving is high amongst taxi drivers rather than private vehicle drivers. To have effective driver safety promotion interventions, it is recommended to consider driver distraction based on professional and non-professional drivers.