Prevalence of Alcohol Use Disorder among Road Transport Workers in Zaria, North West Nigeria: A Pharmacological Perspective

Background: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) carries substantial neurobiological consequences and contributes significantly to road traffic accidents. Road transport workers, due to occupational stress and social norms, represent a high-risk group for hazardous alcohol consumption. This study determined the prevalence of alcohol use disorder among road transport workers in Zaria, Kaduna State. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 280 commercial drivers and motor park workers recruited through cluster sampling in three motor parks. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was used to screen for hazardous, harmful, and dependent alcohol use. Associations with demographic and occupational variables were examined. Results: The prevalence of AUD was 38.5 percent, with 19 percent scoring in the harmful use category and 11 percent meeting criteria for probable dependence. Male sex, longer years of driving experience, and lower educational attainment were significantly associated with higher AUDIT scores. Awareness of alcohol cessation services was extremely low (8%). Conclusion: AUD is prevalent among road transport workers in Zaria and constitutes a public health and road safety concern. Integration of substance use screening into occupational health frameworks for transport workers is recommended. Keywords: alcohol use disorder, road transport workers, AUDIT, Zaria, occupational health