Dataset Information

Factors Associated with Fatigued Driving among Australian Truck Drivers: A Cross-Sectional Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Fatigued driving is one of the leading factors contributing to road crashes in the trucking industry. The nature of trucking, prolonged working time, and irregular sleep patterns can negatively impact drivers' health and wellbeing. However, there is limited research in Australia investigating the impact of demographic, occupational, or lifestyle factors on fatigue among truck drivers.

Objective

This cross-sectional study examines the role of demographic, occupational, lifestyle, and other health risk factors associated with fatigue among Australian truck drivers.

Method

This study was part of a larger study that used a short online survey with a follow-up telephone survey to capture in-depth information on a wide range of determinants related to truck drivers' physical and mental health outcomes. Fatigue was measured by three questions, including the frequency of fatigue, fatigue management training, and strategies used to combat fatigue. Multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the specific impact of demographics, occupational factors, lifestyle factors, and other health risk factors on fatigue.

Results

In total, 332 drivers completed both the online and telephone surveys; 97% were male, representing drivers from broad age groups and professional experience. The odds of being in the high-risk fatigue group were nearly three times higher in drivers who worked 40-60 h compared to those who worked < 40 h. Poor sleep increased the odds of high-risk fatigue by seventimes (95% CI: 2.26-21.67, p = 0.001). Drivers who reported experiencing loneliness also had double the odds of being at high risk of fatigued driving.

Conclusions

The increased risk of fatigue in truck drivers is associated with prolonged working hours, poor sleep, and social aspects such as loneliness. Further interventions seeking to reduce driver fatigue should consider the impact of work schedules, the availability of quality sleeping spaces, and the level of social connections.

SUBMITTER: Ren X

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9916394 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Factors Associated with Fatigued Driving among Australian Truck Drivers: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Ren Xinyi X Pritchard Elizabeth E van Vreden Caryn C Newnam Sharon S Iles Ross R Xia Ting T

International journal of environmental research and public health 20230203 3

<h4>Background</h4>Fatigued driving is one of the leading factors contributing to road crashes in the trucking industry. The nature of trucking, prolonged working time, and irregular sleep patterns can negatively impact drivers' health and wellbeing. However, there is limited research in Australia investigating the impact of demographic, occupational, or lifestyle factors on fatigue among truck drivers.<h4>Objective</h4>This cross-sectional study examines the role of demographic, occupational, l ...[more]

PMID: 36768095

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Project description:BackgroundThe negative health consequences of truck driving are well documented. However, despite the distinct occupational challenges between long- and short-haul driving, limited research has been conducted on how the health profile of these drivers differ. The aims of this study were to characterise the physical and mental health of Australian truck drivers overall, and to identify any differences in factors influencing the health profile of long-haul compared to short-haul drivers.Design, setting, and participantsIn this cross-sectional study, 1390 Australian truck drivers completed an online survey between August 2019 and May 2020. Questions included validated measures of psychological distress, general health, work ability and health-related quality-of-life. Participants driving 500 km or more per day were categorised as long-haul and those driving less than 500 km as short-haul.ResultsThe majority of survey respondents were classified as either overweight (25.2%) or obese (54.3%). Three in ten reported three or more chronic health conditions (29.5%) and poor general health (29.9%). The most commonly diagnosed conditions were back problems (34.5%), high blood pressure (25.8%) and mental health problems (19.4%). Chronic pain was reported by 44% of drivers. Half of drivers reported low levels of psychological distress (50.0%), whereas 13.3 and 36.7% experienced severe or moderate level of psychological distress respectively. There were a small number of differences between the health of long- and short-haul drivers. A higher proportion of short-haul drivers reported severe psychological distress compared to long-haul drivers (15.2% vs 10.4%, χ2 = 8.8, 0.012). Long-haul drivers were more likely to be obese (63.0% vs 50.9%, χ2 = 19.8, < 0.001) and report pain lasting over a year (40.0% vs 31.5%, χ2 = 12.3, 0.006). Having more than one diagnosed chronic condition was associated with poor mental and physical health outcomes in both long- and short-haul drivers.ConclusionAustralian truck drivers report a high prevalence of multiple physical and mental health problems. Strategies focused on improving diet, exercise and preventing chronic conditions and psychological distress, that can also be implemented within the unique occupational environment of trucking are needed to help improve driver health. Further research is needed to explore risk and protective factors that specifically affect health in both short-haul and long-haul drivers.

Project description:ObjectivesLifestyle and working conditions of truck drivers predisposes them to risk-factors associated with communicable and non-communicable diseases, but little is known about the health status of African truck driver. This study aims to assess a cross-section of truckers in South Africa to describe their health information.SettingThe study took place across three truck-stop rest areas in the South African provinces of Free State and Gauteng.ParticipantsEligibility criteria included being males aged 18 years and older, full-time employment as a long-distance truck driver. A total of 614 male truck drivers participated; 384 (63%) were Zimbabwean and 325 (55%) completed high-school.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe trucker survey explored demographics; working conditions; sexual, eating and sleeping behaviours; mental health status, medical history and cardiac risk-factors. Medical assessments included physical measurements, glucose and lipid measurements, ECG, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and cardiac ultrasound.ResultsIn the previous month, 554 (91%) participants were sexually active; 522 (86%) had sex with a regular partner; 174 (27%) with a casual partner; 87 (14%) with a sex worker. Average time driving was 10 hours/day, 20 days/month, 302 (50%) never worked night shifts and 74 (12%) worked nights approximately four times per week. 112 (18%) experienced daytime sleepiness and 59 (10%) were ever hospitalised from an accident. Forty-seven (8%, 95% CI 5.3 to 9.5) were HIV-positive, with half taking antiretrovirals. Forty-eight (8%) truckers had some moderate depression, while 21 (4%) suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. Reported tuberculosis, myocardial infarction, and diabetes were <3%. Prominent cardiac risk-factors included smoking (n=63, 11%), consuming alcohol (>15 drinks/week) (n=54, 9%), overweight/obesity (n=417, 69%), and hypertension (n=220, 36%,95% CI 32.1 to 39.7). ECG results showed 23 (4.9%) and 29 (5.3%) drivers had left ventricular hypertrophy using the Cornell criterion and product, respectively. CIMT measurements indicated nine (4.2%) drivers had a carotid atherosclerotic plaque.ConclusionThis first holistic assessment of health among southern African male truck drivers demonstrates substantial addressable cardiovascular risk factors, mental health issues and sexual risk behaviours.

Project description:BackgroundNon-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.MethodsA 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).ResultsOf 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.ConclusionThe 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.

Project description:BACKGROUND:Sleep disturbance is an issue reported by caregivers. Waking at night is a feature of dementia and by proxy, sleep disturbance among caregivers is reported to be high. Little is known about the characteristics of dementia caregivers' sleep and the factors that may influence sleep disruption. The purpose of this study was to investigate the sleep characteristics and disturbances of Australian caregivers of a person living with dementia. In addition, it evaluated the psychological wellbeing of caregivers by evaluating associations between mood and sleep in this population. METHODS:This study used a cross-sectional, descriptive, correlation design. Participants were recruited with the assistance of Alzheimer's Australia, Dementia Australia and targeted social media advertising. In total, 104 adult, primary, informal caregivers of people with dementia participated, completing a questionnaire on demographic characteristics, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). RESULTS:In this study, 76% of caregivers were female who had been caring for someone living with dementia on average for 4.8?years. 44% of participants had two or more co-morbidities namely cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis and diabetes. 94% of participants were poor sleepers with 84% with difficulty initiating sleep and 72% reporting having difficulty maintaining sleep. Overall, psychological distress was common with high levels of moderate to severe depression, anxiety and stress. Global PSQI scores were significantly positively associated with depression and anxiety, with the strongest correlation seen with stress scores. Depression scores were also moderately associated with daytime dysfunction. Stress was identified as a significant predictor of overall sleep quality. CONCLUSIONS:Sleep problems are common within the population of dementia caregivers. Due to the nature and duration of caregiving and the progression of dementia of the care recipient, there is the potential for a decline in the caregivers' mental and physical health. Caregivers of those living with dementia are more likely to have comorbidities, depression, anxiety and stress. Sleep quality is correlated with emotional distress in dementia caregivers although the direction of this association is unclear. Therefore, sleep and psychological wellbeing may be intertwined, with improvements in one aspect resulting in a positive impact in the other.

Dataset Information

Factors Associated with Fatigued Driving among Australian Truck Drivers: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background

Objective

Method

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Factors Associated with Fatigued Driving among Australian Truck Drivers: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Similar Datasets

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