https://doi.org/10.4081/acbr.2022.196

Diabetes and driving: Assessing knowledge of patient safety recommendations among medical doctors in Nigeria

Vol. 3 No. 2 (2022)
Submitted: 29 March 2022
Accepted: 3 July 2022
Published: 14 July 2022
Diabetes, insulin, road traffic accidents, safety issues
Abstract Views: 845
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Authors

Michael A. Olamoyegun
dryemi@yahoo.com
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4152-3663
Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism Unit, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology/LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Olawale M. Akinlade
Department of Internal Medicine, LAUTECH Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.
Gbadebo O. Ajani
Department of Medicine, Endocrinology Unit, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti/Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.

Many complications of diabetes and its treatment modalities may reduce driving safety and contribute to increase in the number of accidents. Hence, we assessed doctors’ knowledge on safety and driving with diabetes especially those on insulin. A total of 102 doctors of different cadres participated in the study conducted by an online survey in Nigeria over a 4 weeks period in April 2021. Of the 102 respondents, 97 (95.1%), 93 (92.2%), 69 (67.6%) knew that hypoglycaemia, retinopathy and neuropathy respectively predisposed to road traffic accidents. Only a third had ever discussed the possible risk of road traffic crashes with insulin-treated patients. While 32.6% participants knew glucose level be checked not later than 30 minutes before driving, 53.7% respondents knew the need to wait at least 30-45 minutes after treatment of mild to moderate hypoglycaemia before driving. Only 37.9% knows the acceptable blood glucose level considered safe to drive and 12.6% knew the recommended frequency and time to recheck glucose levels during a long trip. Results shows poor knowledge of doctors on several aspects of fitness to drive, hence, it is necessary for all doctors to have basic knowledge on requirements to drive among diabetics for appropriate advice.

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How to Cite

Olamoyegun, M. A., Akinlade, O. M., & Ajani, G. O. (2022). Diabetes and driving: Assessing knowledge of patient safety recommendations among medical doctors in Nigeria. Annals of Clinical and Biomedical Research, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.4081/acbr.2022.196

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