Cardiovascular Diseases Risk Factors Among Commercial Long Distance Bus Drivers In Cape Coast

ABSTRACT Background: Commercial Long Distance Drivers (CLDDs) are professional drivers who travel a distance of 140km or more on a regular basis. The habit of leaving home early and also driving for hours may all impact on eating practices, stress and overall health. In Ghana, it has been documented that road accidents are on the rise and these have been attributed to over speeding and careless or reckless driving. In the developed world studies have shown that cardiovascular diseases also contribute to road accidents among which are stress and related problems. It is therefore likely that these conditions may be contributing to the rampant road carnage in Ghana, hence this study. Objective: This research sought to find out if there are any cardiovascular disease risk factors among commercial long distance bus drivers (CLDBDs) in Cape Coast. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study which involved 170 commercial long distance bus drivers in Cape Coast who consented to participate in the study. Data collection took place from October – November 2012; 4.30a.m. to 9.30a.m. A pre-tested close ended questionnaire were administered to collect data on backgrounds of the drivers, commercial driving history, lifestyle of drivers, stress level, leisure time activities, dietary pattern and history of disease conditions of drivers and their families. Also anthropometric (body mass index and percentage body fat), clinical (blood pressure) and biochemical (Lipid profile and fasting blood sugar) data of the drivers were collected. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 16.0 Software package (Chicago, USA). Descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) were used to summarize categorical variables such as level of education while means and standard deviations were used for the continuous variables. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the risk factors of  cardiovascular diseases using high blood pressure, overweight and high ratio of total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein as proxies. Results: Prevalence of overweight, obesity, high fasting blood sugar level and high density lipoprotein were 36.5%, 14.2%, 72.5%, and 8.8% respectively. Also 22.4% and 21.2% had high diastolic and systolic blood pressure respectively. Drivers drinking alcohol were 45.9% and 64.7% had low physical activity level. Only 8.8% had the desirable level of high density lipoprotein. Drivers who had driven for less than 14years were less likely to develop high systolic and diastolic blood pressure compare to those who had driven for more than 21years (OR = 0.13 CI = 0.04 – 0.39), drivers who drove buses with 20seats or less were at an increased risk of developing high diastolic blood pressure compared to those who drove buses with more than 20 seats (OR = 3.58 CI = 1.09 – 11.75), drivers with turn – around time of 1hour were at an increased risk of becoming overweight compared to drivers whose turn – around time was 24hours, snacking was associated with increased risk of becoming overweight (OR= 1.81 CI= 0.29 – 10.99) and having high ratio of total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein (OR = 2.63 CI = 0.39 – 17.91; OR = 1.48 CI = 0.52 – 4.24), alcohol intake was associated with an increased risk of becoming overweight (OR = 3.02 CI = 0.79 – 11.48; OR = 2.78 CI = 1.49 – 5.18) Conclusion: The main determinants of cardiovascular diseases among the drivers were snacking, overweight, alcohol intake, low physical activity level, very high percentage body fat and low high density lipoprotein. These observations call for nutrition education campaigns for drivers