Key result
Professional driving in LMICs was associated with a pooled prevalence of hypertension of 36.7% (95% CI 31.8-41.6%), diabetes of 15.2%, and obesity of 27.2%.
Why the study?
Evidence was needed on the burden of non-communicable diseases and their risk factors among professional drivers in low- and middle-income countries.
Meta-Analysis (n=48,414)
Yes
Professional drivers in LMICs have a high burden of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, highlighting the need for tailored occupational health interventions.
Professional drivers in LMICs warrant targeted NCD prevention; extends sparse occupational evidence in resource-limited settings.
This systematic review collected evidence on the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among professional drivers and reported on the most common factors that increase the risk of NCDs in this specific population in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The protocol for this systematic review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). We conducted a thorough search on PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Global Health, Web of Science and Africa-wide information databases on 11 May 2023. We adapted the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tool to assess the quality of the studies. We estimated the prevalence of hypertension, prediabetes, diabetes mellitus (DM), overweight and obesity among professional drivers using a random effect model to compute pooled and subgroup analyses. In addition, we conducted a narrative synthesis of the risk factors and recommendations presented in the included studies. Forty-one studies, including 48 414 study participants, met the criteria for inclusion. The pooled prevalence of hypertension, DM and obesity among professional drivers was 36.7% [95% confidence interval (CI): 31.8-41.6%], 15.2% (95% CI: 7.0-23.4%) and 27.2% (95% CI: 18.7-35.8%), respectively. Unsupportive environment, work stress, sedentary lifestyle, consumption of unhealthy foods and shift work were the most common modifiable risk factors reported. Our findings also show a significant burden of hypertension, DM and obesity among professional drivers in LMICs. The prevalence of DM and obesity was two- and three-fold higher than findings in general populations, respectively. Our findings indicate an urgent need for tailored interventions for different occupation-related risk factors for NCDs among professional drivers in LMICs.
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Njiro et al. (2024) conducted a meta-analysis in Non-communicable diseases (n=48,414). Professional driving vs. General population was evaluated on Prevalence of hypertension (95% CI 31.8-41.6). Professional driving in LMICs was associated with a pooled prevalence of hypertension of 36.7% (95% CI 31.8-41.6%), diabetes of 15.2%, and obesity of 27.2%.
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