Risk Factors and Prevalence of Contrast Sensitivity Impairment among Commercial Motor-Vehicle Drivers in Benin City Metropolis, Edo State, Nigeria
Abstract

Background: Contrast sensitivity (CS) is an innate ability of the eyes to discern a variation in luminance or brightness between an object and its background in a certain locations within a space. CS is important for a variety of situations when driving, including recognizing lane markers, road signs, and oncoming traffic especially in low contrast environments—such as at night or in bad weather. This study aimed to determine the risk factors and prevalence of contrast sensitivity impairment among commercial motor-vehicle drivers in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 341 commercial motor-vehicle drivers aged ≥ 20 years in Benin City using purposive random sampling technique. Data were collected using a modified National Eye Institute Vision Functioning Questionnaire–25. Pelli-Robson test was done to assess contrast sensitivity. Data was analysed using IBM-SPSS version 29.0, and Chi-square test was used to observe significant differences between contrast sensitivity and associated risk factors.
Results: A total of 341 commercial drivers participated in the study. Males were 326 (95.6%) and females were 15 (4.4%). The prevalence of contrast sensitivity impairment was 21.7%, and increases with increase in age from 7.9% among age groups 20 – 30 years to 48.0% among age group > 60 years. Higher educational level was found to decrease CS impairment.
Conclusion: The high prevalence of CS in this study could be a threat to safe driving especially in low contrast environments. Routine CS assessment of drivers is recommended prior to issuance of driver’s license and relicensing.
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