Cross-sectional study of the health of southern African truck drivers

Lalla-Edward, Samanta Tresha; Fischer, Alex; Venter, François; Scheuermaier, Karine; Meel, Ruchika; Hankins, Catherine; Gomez, Gabriela B.; Klipstein‐Grobusch, Kerstin; Draaijer, Melvin; Vos, Antonie

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032025

Cited by 43 publications

(57 citation statements)

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“…Thirty-eight studies reported on smoking status. 3 11 18–21 23 27 34 36 38–42 46–49 53 54 56 63 65 69 70 72 77 80 82 83 86–89 91 96 97 103 Prevalence of current smokers ranged from 10% 73 to 72.9%, 83 however, categorising ‘current smokers’ varied between studies and was not defined in some. Jain et al found long haul truck drivers were more likely to smoke than delivery drivers, dock workers, mechanics or clerks.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cardiometabolic risk factors and mental health status among truck drivers: a systematic review

et al. 2020

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ObjectiveThis study aimed to systematically review and summarise the literature on cardiometabolic risk factors, lifestyle health behaviours and mental health status of truck drivers globally to ascertain the scale of these health concerns.DesignSystematic review reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.Data sourcesPubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO and Web of Science were searched in January 2019 and updated in January 2020, from the date of inception to 16 January 2020.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesPapers were included if they (1) reported independent data on truck drivers, (2) included quantitative data on outcomes related to cardiometabolic markers of health, mental health and/or health behaviours, (3) were written in English and (4) were published in a peer-reviewed journal. Grey literature was ineligible for this review.Data extraction and synthesisOne reviewer independently extracted data and assessed methodological quality using a checklist based on the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute Quality Assessment tool. 20% were independently assessed for eligibility and quality by a second reviewer. Due to heterogeneity of the outcomes, results were narratively presented.Results3601 titles and abstracts were screened. Seventy-three studies met the inclusion criteria. Truck driving is associated with enforced sedentarism, long and irregular working hours, lack of healthy foods, social isolation and chronic time pressures. Strong evidence was observed for truck drivers to generally exhibit poor cardiometabolic risk profiles including overweight and obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, high blood glucose, poor mental health and cigarette smoking.ConclusionsImproving truck driver health is vital for the longevity of the trucking industry, and for the safety of all road users. The workplace plays a vital role in truck driver health; policies, regulations and procedures are required to address this health crisis.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42019124499.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cardiometabolic risk factors and mental health status among truck drivers: a systematic review

et al. 2020

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“…The lifestyle and associated risk factors for NCDs greatly influnced by the Job and labor culture [ 12 ]. Truck driving is a job that lying drivers to risk factors for NCDs than other jobs [ 13 – 16 ]. Based on the above facts, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of non-communicable diseases among cross-country truck drivers in Ethiopia.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Occupation and work culture influence the lifestyle and related risk factors for NCDs [ 12 ]. Truck driving is an occupation that prone drivers to risk factors for NCDs than other occupations [ 13 – 16 ]. Truck drivers are among those professionals whose job and health status greatly influences public safety.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and associated factors of chronic non-communicable diseases among cross-country truck drivers in Ethiopia

Yosef

2020

BMC Public Health

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Background Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are diseases that are not transmitted from one person to another. Currently, NCDs are the primary causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Truck driving is an occupation that prone drivers to risk factors for NCDs than other occupations. Eventhough risk of developing NCDs among these population is high, studies that showed the prevalence and associated factors of chronic NCDs among truck drivers in Ethiopia are not available. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of chronic NCDs among truck drivers in Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 cross-country truck drivers at the Modjo dry port in Ethiopia. The interviwer-administered questionnaire technique was used to collect the data. The body mass index of the study participants was measured using DHM-15A standardized scale (BMI Height and Weight body fat scale). Results Of the 400 truck drivers interviewed, the prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases was 28.5, 95% CI (24.1–32.9%). Eighty (20%) had hypertension followed by 32(8%), and 22 (5.5%) had diabetes mellitus and asthma, respectively. The study also found that being married (AOR = 3.14, 95%CI [1.78–5.86]) and Separated/Divorced/Widower (AOR = 2.31, 95% CI [1.12–3.55]), having 3 or more family sizes (AOR = 1.46, 95% CI [1.33–4.42]), BMI ≥ 25 (AOR = 4.66, 95% CI [2.85–7.62]), smoking cigarettes [AOR = 1.71, 95% CI [1.03–2.81]), driving 10 or more years (AOR = 3.48, 95% CI [1.89–5.24]) and driving 9 or more hours daily (AOR = 3.76, 95% CI [1.96–6.54]) were statistically associated with chronic non-communicable diseases. Conclusion The prevalence of chronic NCDs among truck drivers was significant (28.5%), and we can conclude that chronic NCDs are of public health importance among truck drivers in Ethiopia. This may create a substantial load on the healthcare system as an end result of increased demand and contact with healthcare services. Therefore, a rigorous effort is needed to develop strategies for the prevention and management of NCDs.

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“…It was higher than 40% in Manipal, India [ 21 ]. But, it was far lower than 64% in central North Carolina, USA [ 16 ], 69% in South Africa [ 22 ], 71% in India [ 23 ], 75.2% in Mexico [ 8 ], 76% in Germany [ 24 ], 79.2% in Brazil [ 18 ], 91.1% in Arkansas, USA [ 9 ], and 93.3% in the USA [ 25 ]. The variation observed is explained by the difference in socioeconomic and behavioral factors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies conducted worldwide regarding the prevalence of abnormal BMI revealed that 40% in Manipal, India [ 21 ], 55.5% in Chennai, India [ 11 ], 64% in central North Carolina, USA [ 16 ], 69% in South Africa [ 22 ], 71% in India [ 23 ], 75.2% in Mexico [ 8 ], 76% in Germany [ 24 ], 79.2% in Brazil [ 18 ], 91.1% in Arkansas, USA [ 9 ], and 93.3% in the USA [ 25 ]. The factors that contribute to overweight and obesity are varied and might include age, income, educational status, nutrition, sleep duration, physical exercise, daily working hours, and years of driving experience [ 1 , 3 , 7 , 12 , 14 – 16 , 26 – 28 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Burden of Overweight and Obesity among Long-Distance Truckers in Ethiopia

et al. 2020

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Background. Abnormal body mass index (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) has become a major global public health problem which is rising at a faster rate in urban areas of low- and middle-income countries. In Ethiopia, the prevalence gradually increases. Long-distance truckers are at a high risk of developing overweight or obesity due to the sedentary nature of their job. Despite these populations at a high risk of developing overweight/obesity such as drivers elsewhere, pieces of data that showed the prevalence and contributing factors of overweight and obesity among long-distance truckers in Ethiopia are not yet available. Objective. To assess the prevalence and contributing factors of overweight and obesity among long-distance truckers in Ethiopia. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 systematically selected truckers at Modjo dry port in Ethiopia from February to March, 2018. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. The final results were presented in tables and numerical summary measures such as mean and standard deviation (SD). Results. Of the 400 truckers interviewed, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 56.5%, 95% CI (51.6%–61.4%). The study also found that a monthly income ≥220 USD (AOR = 1.83, 95% CI (1.05–3.18)), having 3 or more family sizes (AOR = 2.24, 95% CI (1.15–4.36)), less than 6 hours of sleep at night (AOR = 3.34, 95% CI (1.99–5.78)), driving for 9 or more hours daily (AOR = 2.29, 95% CI (1.09–4.81)), and a truck driving experience of 10 or more years (AOR = 2.13, 95% CI (1.29–4.18)) were significantly associated with overweight and obesity. Conclusion. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was substantially high. The study also found that sociodemographic and occupational factors are mainly associated with overweight and obesity. Therefore, a health education program should be designed for awareness creation on the importance of reducing a sedentary lifestyle, consuming healthy foods or drinks, and having regular physical exercise to mitigate the problem.

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Cross-sectional study of the health of southern African truck drivers

Cited by 43 publications

References 32 publications

Cardiometabolic risk factors and mental health status among truck drivers: a systematic review

Cardiometabolic risk factors and mental health status among truck drivers: a systematic review

Prevalence and associated factors of chronic non-communicable diseases among cross-country truck drivers in Ethiopia

The Burden of Overweight and Obesity among Long-Distance Truckers in Ethiopia

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