For the newbies, the KFB “Know your
health’ column is where we discuss health issues. Today,we discuss the side effects of riding on Okada, courtesy of Tribune Newspaper.
In
this part of the world where our transportation system leaves much to
be desired, motorcycles, commonly called okada, are a necessary evil.
This is not unconnected with the fact that they are a quick means of
transport, they are efficient in mitigating traffic jams which most
cities are renowned for, they get to areas which are ordinarily
unmotorable and they are available throughout day and night hours. Since
their introduction into the country and use for commercial purposes,
they have continued to increase exponentially and based on this, the
cases of motorcycle accidents have equally skyrocketed.
teaching hospitals, in cities where okadas are still in operation, would
attest to the fact that the occupational risk of this group of people
should indeed be a source of concern. According to Dr Ademola Ajibade, a
medical practitioner, “motorcycle injuries are among the leading causes
of disability and deaths and the main victims are the motorcyclists,
passengers and pedestrians in their young reproductive age group. In
fact, motorcycle accidents are far more likely than other vehicular
accidents. Motorcycle riders are the most vulnerable groups of road
users.”The reason for this may not be far-fetched. Motorcyclists, especially
the young ones, tend to speed too much and overload their motorcycles
for quick returns and they are usually reckless, undisciplined and have a
lack of respect for other road users. Dr Ajibade adds that the majority
of them don’t wear any protective gear, including helmets and this
aggravates the risks of getting severe head injuries and even death in
the event of an accident.
Saturday Tribune findings revealed that some of the reasons for
non-compliance with the use of protective gear and the practice of safe
road use among motorcycle riders included ignorance of the importance of
the use of protective gear, a general disposition towards lawlessness,
lack of education on proper road use and traffic laws, the cost of the
gears as well as the abuse of drugs and use of alcohol.
Besides the obvious risk of accidents which motorcycle riders and
their passengers are exposed to, there are other concerns that they
should make conscious efforts to consider in order to enjoy optimal
health at their occupation.
One health hazard associated with okada riding, especially for long
periods at a time, is the exposure to pollutants, especially from their
motorcycles and other vehicles on the road. According to experts,
motorcycle riders are exposed to pollutants such as nitrogen oxides,
carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds and
particulate matter in ambient air, and these may affect lung function.
It has been discovered that the inhalation of these automobile
pollutants can cause respiratory problems.
Moreover, extreme vibrations due to the performance of the motorcycle
engine, improper structural design of the motorcycle (evident in the
type of seating and type of suspension), bad road conditions, age of the
motorcycle are also potential sources of health problems. Experts state
that the human body can tolerate certain levels of vibrational energy
but starts to deteriorate and cause long-term damage and disruption of
the natural processes of the body at other levels of vibration. These
vibrations are transmitted to the buttocks and back along the vertical
axis via the base and back of the seat. On the other hand, the pedals
and handle transmit additional vibrations to the feet and hands of the
rider. During motorcycle riding, due to its unbalancing nature, it
creates enormous vibration and affects the bioelectric phenomena.
A
study of “Vibration and its effect on health of the motorcycle rider”
published in the April-June 2010 edition of Online Journal of Health and
Allied Sciences pointed out that at varying frequencies of vibrations,
certain health effects can occur ranging from motion sickness, chest and
abdominal pain, backache, intestine and bladder problems to degradation
in visual functions. These vibrations are in the form of Hand Arm
Vibrations and Whole Body Vibrations. Health effects that associated
with Whole Body Vibration and especially the driving environment have
been discovered to include piles, high blood pressure, kidney disorders
and impotence.
Where
vehicles provide protection against harsh weather conditions through
the presence of windscreens, okadas lack such and as a result, their
riders are exposed to extreme weather “They ride in the scorching sun,
windy weather and sometimes even in the rain and most times, without the
proper protective clothing. Protective gear do not stop at helmets.
They also include high-visibility vests, boots, gloves. Not only are
helmets supposed to protect the head in the case of accidents, they are
also there to protect the face from the wind, flying objects and insects
which could enter the eyes, nose or ears,” Dr Ajibade said.
Also importantly is the increased risk of reproductive problems. A
Japanese study of 234 avid motorcyclists between the ages of 20 and 60
found significantly higher Erectile Dysfunction (ED) across all age
ranges compared to a control group. Among bikers aged 50 to 59, 93 per
cent had ED, compared to 42 per cent of the controls. A subsequent study
of 150 Japanese motorcyclists by the same authors also found that not
only was the rate of ED more than three times greater among
motorcyclists than the control group, but there was a clear link between
their ED and other lower urinary tract disorders. The likeliest culprit
was constant vibration from both the engine and the road.
Physical strain is also an issue to grapple with. “The physical
strain can cause problems with joints such as knees and wrists. When
riding a motorcycle, the body position constricts regular blood flow to
the feet, ankles and knees, depending on the type of bike design. This
is why you sometimes notice swelling on the feet of okada riders who
drive for long periods. Appropriate compression socks can help to
improve leg circulation, lowering swelling while riding,” Dr. Irene
Bassey, general practitioner at Orbitals Clinic, Lagos State, said.
Though they have been banned in some states, they still pose a
significant health and safety risk in places where they are operational
and moreso, where there is no insistent on the use of protective gear.
According to Mr. Temiloluwa Gbarada, a health, safety and environment
professional, “Whenever one is on an okada, the miracle is that one
arrives at his place of destination in one piece. From a safety
perspective, okadas, by default, are an accident waiting to happen.
In
risk assessment safety standards, riding or being a passenger on an
okada is way above the acceptable risk limit because it’s not balanced,
there is no protective covering (like a windscreen) and because of their
size, they are most often ignored by other vehicle users. If at all, it
has to be used, then personal protective equipment like helmets and
full body protective clothing (padded) should be worn.”