Prevalence of Underlying Depression and Related Factors in Riding-car Drivers after a Collision Accident, Yasuj Trauma Center, 2018.

Abstract Introduction: Human errors, which could be due to mental and personality illnesses, are the most important factors of life losing and traffic-related economic loss. Depression is one of the most common complex medical and social concerns. If not treated timely, it could affect all persons’ abilities. Considering the high rates of accidents in Yasuj territory, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of depression and its related demographic factors in motor vehicle drivers with a traffic accident.   Materials and methods. This cross-sectional study was on 195 drivers with a driving accident during the first half of 1397 at Shahid Beheshti Hospital. Demographic data of the subjects collected by a designed questionnaire and the level of depression by Beck questionnaire. Data collected and analyzed by SPSS software.   Results: All subjects were over 18 years old with a mean age of 37.6 years. Of them, 55.36% married and 46.67% with university education. Normal or low status of economic satisfaction seen in 89.33% and greater than 60% had no job pleasure.  The mean depression score based on Beck Questionnaire was 16. Only 28% of the drivers were healthy. Fifteen percent of drivers had an occasional history of alcohol consumption.   Conclusion: The prevalence of depression among Yasuj drivers was high. Of nine studied factors, only four factors include smoking, alcohol consumption, economic status, and job satisfaction significantly correlated with depression. Contrary to popular belief and the culture of alcohol abstinence, alcohol consumption was high among drivers in this study. Diagnosis and treatment of depression could be suggested to make driving safer in depressed drivers. Keywords: Drivers; Motor Vehicles; Cars; Accidents; Depression and Anxiety; Traffic; Accident Factors; Occupation; Stress.