Summary: | Background and objective: Driving is associated with various
occupational health problems and the nature of the job creates a greater risk for
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among the drivers. We aimed to determine the
prevalence of risk factors for NCDs, work-related health problems and its
associated factors among three-wheeler drivers in Gampaha Urban Council area,
Western Province, Sri Lanka.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 289
randomly selected three-wheeler drivers. A pre-tested, validated interviewer
administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive and relevant
inferential statistics were used to analyze data by using SPSS v20. Binary
logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with common
work-related health problems.
Results: Among all participants, 80% were using alcoholic beverages,
35% of them were currently smoking and 39% of them had the habit of betel
chewing. The mean body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) of the
participants were 25.28 (±4.37) kg/m2 and 92.17 (±11.61) cm
respectively. The prevalence of work-related health problems among the
participants were low back pain (35%, 95% CI = 29.78–40.80), hypertension
(32%, 95% CI = 33.14–44.37), obesity based on BMI (30%, 95% CI =
24.49–35.03). Working experience of ≥10 years (AOR = 2.29, 95% CI =
1.16–4.51), sitting for ≥6 hours/day during driving (AOR = 2.23, 95% CI
= 1.03–4.82), not following regular exercise (AOR = 2.54, 95% CI = 1.02–6.37),
having snacks ≥ twice/day (AOR = 3.06, 95% CI = 1.52–6.18) and WC
≥90 cm (AOR = 37.00, 95% CI = 11.00–123.99) were the factors associated
with obesity.
Conclusion: Tobacco and alcohol use, high BMI, inadequate physical
activity, and unhealthy eating habits were found as the major risk factors for
NCDs among three-wheeler drivers. The prevalence of work-related health problems
was relatively high and job characteristics were the major determinant of most
health problems.
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