P-335 Abstract Lifestyle Assessment Among Taxi Drivers in Tunisia

Introduction Taxi drivers are subject to constraints related to irregular working hours, which influence their lifestyle and have implications for their health. Objective To describe and evaluate the lifestyle habits among taxi drivers in Tunisia. Method A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on taxi drivers who had consulted the Institute of Occupational Health and Safety between November 2022 and March 2023. Data collection was done using a pre-established questionnaire on Google Forms. Results The study included 140 taxi drivers, with one female driver. The average age was 48 years. The average professional experience was 17.4 years, and the average number of working hours was 8.7 hours. Tobacco and alcohol consumption was found in 47.9% and 21.4% of cases, respectively. The average number of packs/year for smokers was 12.4, ranging from 5 to 70. In 51% of cases, taxi drivers consumed non-home-cooked meals. Physical activity was observed in 32 drivers (22.9%), with regular activity in 15.7% of cases. Morbid obesity (BMI ≥ 35 Kg/m2) was noted in 11 drivers (7.9%), while 29.3% were obese (BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m2), and 37.1% were overweight (BMI ≥ 25 Kg/m2). Discussion and conclusion Our survey revealed tobacco and alcohol consumption, an unbalanced diet, significant sedentary behavior, and pathological BMI levels among taxi drivers. Sensitization and medical intervention are needed for this population.