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 health morbidities is essential to plan and mitigate the risk of premature mortality among this subgroup. We aim to describe the health morbidities and prevalence of diabetes and high blood pressure among truck drivers in three regions of India.Method We used routinely collected data 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. We study the sociodemographic, health risk and morbidity profile of the truck drivers with an emphasis on diabetes, and high blood pressure status in East, West, and South, regions of India. Significance level was fixed at 95% and results with p-values less than 0.05 were considered significant.Results We identified 15725 truck drivers, of which nearly two-thirds 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 compared to the East and South 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.Conclusion 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.