Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components among Taxi Drivers in the City of Tshwane, South Africa
The occupation of taxi driving predisposes drivers to health risks, including obesity, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Although individual components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) are documented, data is scarce on concurrent metabolic disturbances among commercial drivers. The prevalence of M...
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| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-02-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/3/1767 |
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| author | Eaglet Moditsa Mabetwa Kebogile Elizabeth Mokwena Peter Modupi Mphekgwana Perpetua Modjadji |
| author_facet | Eaglet Moditsa Mabetwa Kebogile Elizabeth Mokwena Peter Modupi Mphekgwana Perpetua Modjadji |
| author_sort | Eaglet Moditsa Mabetwa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The occupation of taxi driving predisposes drivers to health risks, including obesity, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Although individual components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) are documented, data is scarce on concurrent metabolic disturbances among commercial drivers. The prevalence of MetS and its components were determined in a cross-sectional study among taxi drivers (n = 362) in the City of Tshwane, South Africa. Sociodemographic, occupational, and lifestyle factors were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Anthropometry, blood pressure, and glucose were measured. MetS was defined based on BMI strata, hypertension, and glucose levels. Data was analyzed using SPSS. The mean age of taxi drivers was 42 ± 10.9 years. Overall prevalence of MetS was 17.1%, with higher prevalence observed among older taxi drivers (24.2%) and those with longer experience in the industry (22.9%). Individual components of MetS were obesity (36%), hypertension (36%) and diabetes (46%), while smoking (30%), alcohol use (59%), and physical inactivity (71%) were observed. MetS was associated with duration in the taxi industry, and family history of diabetes among taxi drivers. The presence of MetS and its components among taxi drivers calls for early identification of cardiometabolic risks in the taxi industry and efforts towards achieving a healthier workforce. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T00:09:05Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5dba498398b44d44b587986db0592b0a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T00:09:05Z |
| publishDate | 2022-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-5dba498398b44d44b587986db0592b0a2023-11-23T16:03:09ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172022-02-01123176710.3390/app12031767Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components among Taxi Drivers in the City of Tshwane, South AfricaEaglet Moditsa Mabetwa0Kebogile Elizabeth Mokwena1Peter Modupi Mphekgwana2Perpetua Modjadji3Department of Public Health, School of Health Care Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Ga-Rankuwa MEDUNSA, P.O. Box 215, Pretoria 0204, South AfricaDepartment of Public Health, School of Health Care Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Ga-Rankuwa MEDUNSA, P.O. Box 215, Pretoria 0204, South AfricaDepartment of Research Administration and Development, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga 0727, South AfricaDepartment of Public Health, School of Health Care Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Ga-Rankuwa MEDUNSA, P.O. Box 215, Pretoria 0204, South AfricaThe occupation of taxi driving predisposes drivers to health risks, including obesity, cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Although individual components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) are documented, data is scarce on concurrent metabolic disturbances among commercial drivers. The prevalence of MetS and its components were determined in a cross-sectional study among taxi drivers (n = 362) in the City of Tshwane, South Africa. Sociodemographic, occupational, and lifestyle factors were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Anthropometry, blood pressure, and glucose were measured. MetS was defined based on BMI strata, hypertension, and glucose levels. Data was analyzed using SPSS. The mean age of taxi drivers was 42 ± 10.9 years. Overall prevalence of MetS was 17.1%, with higher prevalence observed among older taxi drivers (24.2%) and those with longer experience in the industry (22.9%). Individual components of MetS were obesity (36%), hypertension (36%) and diabetes (46%), while smoking (30%), alcohol use (59%), and physical inactivity (71%) were observed. MetS was associated with duration in the taxi industry, and family history of diabetes among taxi drivers. The presence of MetS and its components among taxi drivers calls for early identification of cardiometabolic risks in the taxi industry and efforts towards achieving a healthier workforce.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/3/1767metabolic syndromeobesitydiabeteshypertensiontaxi driversSouth Africa |
| spellingShingle | Eaglet Moditsa Mabetwa Kebogile Elizabeth Mokwena Peter Modupi Mphekgwana Perpetua Modjadji Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components among Taxi Drivers in the City of Tshwane, South Africa Applied Sciences metabolic syndrome obesity diabetes hypertension taxi drivers South Africa |
| title | Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components among Taxi Drivers in the City of Tshwane, South Africa |
| title_full | Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components among Taxi Drivers in the City of Tshwane, South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components among Taxi Drivers in the City of Tshwane, South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components among Taxi Drivers in the City of Tshwane, South Africa |
| title_short | Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components among Taxi Drivers in the City of Tshwane, South Africa |
| title_sort | metabolic syndrome and its components among taxi drivers in the city of tshwane south africa |
| topic | metabolic syndrome obesity diabetes hypertension taxi drivers South Africa |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/3/1767 |
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