Optimistic Bias, Pct·ccived Social Norms and Cannabis Usc Among Road Transport Workers in lbadan Mctt·opolis
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The study assessed cannabis abuse among road transport workers (n = 360) across motor parks in lbadan.
southwest Nigeria. The role of optimistic bias and perceived socia l norms in can nabis abuse among th is atrisl-.
but often overlooked population. We hypothesized that cannabis abuse would be more prevalent among
dri, ers relative to other categories of transport workers. We also tested the hypothesis that higher optimist ic
bias and perceived social norms would be associated with more cannabis abuse across the various categories
of transport workers. Resu lts inc! icatecl that 121 ( 67 .2%) of the drivers and 89 ( 49 A%) of other transport
work ers interviewed never used cannabis. Fifteen dri vers (8.3%) and 21 (12.2%) other transport \\ Orkers exusers
while 44 (24. 4%) of the drivers and 69 (3 8.4%) of other transport workers were current users or
ca nnabi s. Cannab is use debut was 21.4 (±4.7) for drivers and 19.3 (±4.3) for other transport workers
respecti vely. Overall, scores on the cannabis abuse measure were very high for drivers (mean = 13.47±3.6)
and other transport workers (mean = 15 .22±3 A 5 ). Results also ind icatcd that optimistic bias { F ( I. 3 57) =
7.35: p<.OI} and percci\cd social norms {F (I. 357) = 19.06: p<.OI} significantly influenced canna bis abuse.
The need to target thi s at-risk but often overlooked population as well as the need to situate such
interventions wit hin sa lient psychological terrains was emphasized.
Keywords
H Social Sciences (General)