Key result
Alcohol use linked to ~9.5-fold higher odds of organ damage in hypertensive drivers.
Why the study?
Long-distance drivers have elevated cardiovascular risk from a sedentary occupation that can impair alertness and contribute to road traffic accidents, yet knowledge gaps remained regarding the prevalence and associated factors of hypertension-mediated organ damage in this population.
Cross-Sectional (n=324)
Yes
Over half of hypertensive long-distance drivers in Ketu-South, Ghana, exhibited hypertension-mediated organ damage—primarily left ventricular hypertrophy and retinopathy—highlighting the urgent need for targeted occupational cardiovascular screening and lifestyle interventions in this high-risk group.
High HMOD prevalence in hypertensive drivers supports occupational screening; leaves open causal links and intervention effects.
Introduction Hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD), responsible for nearly a third (32%) of global deaths, poses a threat to long-distance drivers (LDD). Their sedentary occupation elevates cardiovascular risk, impairs alertness, and contributes to road traffic accidents, a public health concern. However, knowledge gaps remain regarding HMOD in this population. This study therefore assessed the prevalence and associated factors of HMOD among LDD in Ketu-South municipality. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study in 2025, recruiting LDD through stratified sampling of their transport unions. We gathered sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical data via a WHO STEPwise-adapted questionnaire. For drivers with hypertension, we assessed HMOD by performing fundoscopy for retinopathy, electrocardiography for left ventricular hypertrophy, and documenting self-reported stroke history. We applied descriptive statistics and regression analyses to identify associations between these variables and HMOD. Results Among the 324 LLD studied (median age, 45 years; range, 25–66 years), nearly half (47.5%, n=154) were hypertensive. Of these, 55.2% (n=85) had at least one form of HMOD. Left ventricular hypertrophy was the most prevalent HMOD (37.7%, n=58), followed by hypertensive retinopathy (27.3%, n=42) and stroke (2.6%, n=4). Significant predictors of HMOD included alcohol consumption (aOR=9.5; 95% CI:3.0–9.5), smoking (aOR=5.1; 95% CI:1.5–16.9), hypertensive crisis (aOR=9.3; 95% CI:1.4–62.4), hypertension duration >10 years (aOR=5.5; 95% CI:1.7–18.3), and obesity (aOR=3.5; 95% CI:1.3–9.5). Protective factors included regular exercise (aOR=0.2; 95% CI: 0.08–0.6) and routine medical screening (aOR=0.1; 95% CI: 0.02–0.3). Conclusion Prevalence of HMOD among LDD was high, highlighting an occupational health disparity. The risk is increased by alcohol consumption, smoking, obesity, and long duration of hypertension, and reduced by regular exercise and routine medical screening. Implementing mandatory occupational health programs that address these factors is essential to managing hypertension, preventing HMOD, and enhancing driver alertness, ultimately contributing to improved road safety.
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Okutu et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension and hypertension-mediated organ damage (HMOD) (n=324). Cardiovascular and lifestyle risk factors (e.g., alcohol consumption, smoking, hypertensive crisis, hypertension duration >10 years, obesity) vs. Absence of risk factors was evaluated on Hypertension-mediated organ damage (left ventricular hypertrophy, hypertensive retinopathy, or stroke) (aOR 9.5, 95% CI 3.0-9.5). Hypertensive long-distance drivers had a 55.2% prevalence of organ damage, strongly associated with alcohol use (aOR 9.5; 95% CI 3.0-9.5) and reduced by routine screening (aOR 0.1; 95% CI 0.02-0.3).
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