Morbidity profile and prevalence of diabetes and high blood pressure among truck drivers in three regions of India

Abstract

Background Truck drivers in India are one of the groups experiencing a disproportionate health burden. Understanding the distribution of morbidities is essential to plan and mitigate the risk of premature mortality among this subgroup. Paperaims to describe the health morbidities and prevalence of diabetes and high blood pressure among truck drivers in three regions of India. Methods Data were routinely collected from a community-based healthcare program for truck drivers. Electronic medical health records (July 2018 to February 2019) of truck drivers were accessed and analyzed. The sociodemographic, health risk and morbidity profile of the truck drivers with an emphasis on diabetes, and high blood pressure in East, West, and South, regions of India were studied. Significance level was reported at p-values less than 0.05. Results A total of 15725 truck drivers were identified, of which 10247 (65%) were from the south region alone. Majority of truck drivers were male and middle-aged (median age 44 years). Over two-third (>62%) truck drivers in all regions were tobacco users. Half of the truck drivers reported smoking in the South (53%) compared to smokeless tobacco use in the West (53%) and East (41%) regions. Alcohol use alone and both alcohol and tobacco use were significantly lower in the West (23%, 15%) compared to the East (51%, 50%) and South (68%, 52%) regions. A significant number of truck drivers were either overweight 3485 (22%) or obese 6772 (49%). The prevalence of obesity among truck drivers ranged 55% in the South and 47% in the East compared to 32% in the West region. Of all truck drivers, 6991 (44%) had non-communicable diseases; 3350 (21%) had musculoskeletal conditions, and 1954 (12%) were suffering from communicable diseases. The prevalence of diabetes differed significantly in the three regions (p<0.05). Nearly half of the truck drivers (7326/15725) 47% had high blood pressure (≥ 140/90 mm Hg) and regional differences were not significant.Conclusions Truck drivers in India suffer from multiple health and lifestyle-related diseases. Early identification of high risk and tailored behavioral and occupational interventions are needed urgently.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Determinants of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Among Professional Drivers in the Perambalur Municipality Area of Tamil Nadu, India

“…In our study, the prevalence of diabetes was 14 (11.9%) amongst the professional male drivers in Perambalur Municipality. A study done in South Karnataka showed a similar prevalence of diabetes (11.1%) among drivers [ 10 ] along with a study in three regions (East/West/South) of India, which showed a prevalence of 11-18% [ 19 ]. In contrast, in a study conducted by Yosef in Ethiopia among truck drivers (2018), 32 (8%) had diabetes mellitus [ 2 ], and a study in Iran also showed a 9.1% prevalence of diabetes [ 20 ], which is lower than the current study.…”