CELL PHONE USE AT CROSSINGS AMONG PEDESTRIANS IN DIFFERENT URBAN ENVIRONMENTS. AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY IN MAPUTO CITY, MOZAMBIQUE

Abstract

Background:
Using a cell phone while walking may impair attention and increases the risk of hits and injurious events, in particular at crossings. Reports from low- and middle-income countries on the prevalence of this behaviour for different types of use and settings are lacking despite pedestrians being at significantly higher risk of getting injured in those countries. This study investigates cell phone use among pedestrians in the city of Maputo (Mozambique) in different settings and its demographic variation.

Methods:
A non-invasive observational study was conducted where pedestrians were observed when crossing the street in three types of sites and three daytime periods. Site- and period-specific prevalence data were analysed stratified by sex and age alongside type of use (cell phone functions).

Results:
The overall prevalence of cell phone use was 8.5% (6.5% among female and 10.1% among male; 11.2% among children and 5.7% among adults). There were important differences by observation site, from an overall of 11.7% at roadside markets by the road to 6.3% at road intersections. Texting/reading was more common than speaking overall, with sex and age differences by site.

Conclusions:
Pedestrians in Maputo City exhibit one of the lowest overall uses of cell phone at crossings reported so far. It is higher among men than women and in all demographic groups, it peaks at marketplaces, typically busy traffic environments not considered in previous studies. The specific type of use was also age- and sex-related. With expectable growth in cell phone ownership and in connectivity, the numbers observed will rise sharply, resulting in more pedestrians distracted while in at-risk situations. Revisiting the city planning and road traffic infrastructure will play a determinant role in protecting them.