Assessment of the Safety Climate Among Formal Sector Drivers: Insights from A Public University, Ghana

James Prah; George Appertey; Ebenezer Aggrey

doi:10.20518/tjph.1735827

Assessment of the Safety Climate Among Formal Sector Drivers: Insights from A Public University, Ghana

Abstract

Objective: This study assessed the safety climate, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) of formally employed drivers at a Ghanaian university using validated instruments to identify critical gaps and opportunities for intervention. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 128 full-time drivers at the University of Cape Coast using the Nordic Occupational Safety Climate Questionnaire (NOSACQ-50) and a standardized OHS KAP instrument. Supplementary data were obtained from accident registers covering a three-year period. Descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and scale reliability assessments were performed. Results: While drivers demonstrated high awareness of safety protocols, actual safety practices were inconsistent, with low adherence to critical behaviours such as speed regulation and abstaining from alcohol or drugs while driving. The overall safety climate score was 2.74 ± 0.34, indicating a fairly low safety climate, particularly in peer-related dimensions such as safety commitment and communication. Commonly reported health concerns included stress (92.2%), low back pain (74.2%), and neck pain (56.3%), often linked to poor ergonomics and psychosocial pressures. Conclusion: Despite structured employment and access to training, formal sector drivers operate within an inadequate safety culture characterized by weak peer engagement, high occupational stress, and poor translation of knowledge into practice. The findings underscore the need for behaviour-centered, contextually grounded interventions, such as peer mentoring, gamified safety incentives, and participatory safety reviews, to transform the safety culture within institutional transport systems. Key words: occupational health and safety, safety management, attitude to health, motor vehicle operators, Ghana

Keywords

Ethical Statement

The study was approved by the University of Cape Coast Institutional Review Board (UCCIRB) [Approval No. UCC/IRB/EXT/2023/13]. Participation was voluntary, with informed written consent obtained from each participant. All data were anonymized, and no personal identifiers were recorded.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Preventative Health Care

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

James Prah ^*
0000-0001-7024-1123
Ghana

George Appertey
Ghana

Ebenezer Aggrey This is me
0009-0004-2962-6215
Ghana

Early Pub Date

December 15, 2025

Publication Date

December 30, 2025

Submission Date

July 6, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 1, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 23 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.20518/tjph.1735827

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA97XZ97YF

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Prah, J., Appertey, G., & Aggrey, E. (2025). Assessment of the Safety Climate Among Formal Sector Drivers: Insights from A Public University, Ghana. Turkish Journal of Public Health, 23(3), 345-355. https://doi.org/10.20518/tjph.1735827

AMA

1.Prah J, Appertey G, Aggrey E. Assessment of the Safety Climate Among Formal Sector Drivers: Insights from A Public University, Ghana. TJPH. 2025;23(3):345-355. doi:10.20518/tjph.1735827

Chicago

Prah, James, George Appertey, and Ebenezer Aggrey. 2025. “Assessment of the Safety Climate Among Formal Sector Drivers: Insights from A Public University, Ghana”. Turkish Journal of Public Health 23 (3): 345-55. https://doi.org/10.20518/tjph.1735827.

EndNote

Prah J, Appertey G, Aggrey E (December 1, 2025) Assessment of the Safety Climate Among Formal Sector Drivers: Insights from A Public University, Ghana. Turkish Journal of Public Health 23 3 345–355.

IEEE

[1]J. Prah, G. Appertey, and E. Aggrey, “Assessment of the Safety Climate Among Formal Sector Drivers: Insights from A Public University, Ghana”, TJPH, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 345–355, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.20518/tjph.1735827.

ISNAD

Prah, James - Appertey, George - Aggrey, Ebenezer. “Assessment of the Safety Climate Among Formal Sector Drivers: Insights from A Public University, Ghana”. Turkish Journal of Public Health 23/3 (December 1, 2025): 345-355. https://doi.org/10.20518/tjph.1735827.

JAMA

1.Prah J, Appertey G, Aggrey E. Assessment of the Safety Climate Among Formal Sector Drivers: Insights from A Public University, Ghana. TJPH. 2025;23:345–355.

MLA

Prah, James, et al. “Assessment of the Safety Climate Among Formal Sector Drivers: Insights from A Public University, Ghana”. Turkish Journal of Public Health, vol. 23, no. 3, Dec. 2025, pp. 345-5, doi:10.20518/tjph.1735827.

Vancouver

1.James Prah, George Appertey, Ebenezer Aggrey. Assessment of the Safety Climate Among Formal Sector Drivers: Insights from A Public University, Ghana. TJPH. 2025 Dec. 1;23(3):345-5. doi:10.20518/tjph.1735827