Risky Driving Behaviours among Medical Students in Erbil , Iraq

• Published in: Sultan Qaboos University medical journal Vol. 15; no. 3; pp. 390 - 397
• Main Authors: Ismail, Kamiran Hasan, Salih, Abu Bakr M., Shabila, Nizar P., al-Hadithi, Tariq
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Muscat - Oman Sultan Qaboos University 01-08-2015; Sultan Qaboos University, College of Medicine and Health Sciences; Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, College of Medicine & Health Sciences
• Subjects: Automobile Driving; AUTOMOBILES; Clinical & Basic Research; COLLEGE STUDENTS; IRAQ; MEDICAL COLLEGES; Medical Students; Medicine; RISK; Risk Assessment; Risk-Taking; Perception; Study and teaching (Higher); التعلم; التعليم; التعليم العالي; السيارات; الطب; العراق; المخاطرة; طلاب الجامعات; كليات الطب; Perception; Iraq; Risk Assessment; Automobile Driving; Medical Students; Risk-Taking
• DOI: 10.18295/squmj.2015.15.03.014
• EISSN: 2075-0528
• ISSN: 2075-051X

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. Methods:
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. Results: 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). 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.