Key result
Longer weekly driving hours (OR 1.22, p<0.001), higher BMI (OR 2.45, p<0.001), and alcohol use (OR 19.91, p=0.012) independently increased odds of raised systolic blood pressure in truck drivers.
Why the study?
Truck drivers are exposed to occupational and lifestyle factors that may increase their susceptibility to cardiovascular and other non-communicable diseases, prompting an assessment of risk factor prevalence and determinants in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
Cross-Sectional (n=100)
No
This cross-sectional study highlights a high burden of behavioral and cardiometabolic risk factors among Indian truck drivers, identifying higher BMI and longer weekly driving hours as independent correlates of elevated blood pressure and blood glucose.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
May inform hypertension screening in truck drivers; hypothesis-generating for causality and interventions.
Background: Truck drivers are exposed to occupational and lifestyle factors that may increase their susceptibility to cardiovascular and other non-communicable diseases. This study assessed the prevalence of selected cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors and their associated determinants among truck drivers in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional observational study was conducted in 2024 among 100 truck drivers attending Transport Nagar, Delhi Road, Jaipur. Eligible participants were aged 23–60 years and had at least five years of heavy vehicle driving experience. Data were collected using a pretested, semi-structured questionnaire based on the World Health Organization STEPwise approach, along with anthropometric measurements, blood pressure assessment and random blood glucose estimation. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise participant characteristics. Associations were assessed using the Chi-square test, and multivariable binary logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with raised systolic blood pressure (SBP ≥140 mmHg) and raised random blood sugar (RBS ≥140 mg/dL). Results: The mean age of participants was 37.77 ± 7.95 years, and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 24.62 ± 2.37 kg/m². Raised SBP and raised RBS were observed in 18% and 14% of participants, respectively. Smoking, alcohol consumption and tobacco chewing were reported by 61%, 58% and 51% of drivers, respectively. Only 5% reported daily fruit consumption. In bivariate analysis, raised RBS was significantly associated with BMI (p=0.013) and weekly driving hours (p<0.001), whereas raised SBP was significantly associated with smoking (p=0.019) and weekly driving hours (p=0.001). In multivariable logistic regression, higher BMI and longer weekly driving hours were independently associated with both raised SBP and raised RBS. Alcohol consumption was independently associated with raised SBP (OR 19.907; 95% CI 1.953–202.949; p=0.012), but not with raised RBS. Conclusion: Truck drivers in this study demonstrated a considerable burden of behavioural and metabolic cardiovascular risk factors. Higher BMI and longer weekly driving hours were important correlates of raised blood pressure and blood glucose. Occupational health programmes focusing on regular screening, weight management and healthier lifestyle practices may help address these risk factors.
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Saini et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Cardiovascular and metabolic disease risk factors in commercial truck drivers (n=100). Weekly driving hours, body mass index, and alcohol consumption vs. Lower weekly driving hours, lower BMI, and non-drinkers was evaluated on Raised systolic blood pressure (SBP ≥140 mmHg) associated with weekly driving hours (OR 1.220, 95% CI 1.110–1.341, p=<0.001). Longer weekly driving hours (OR 1.22, p<0.001), higher BMI (OR 2.45, p<0.001), and alcohol use (OR 19.91, p=0.012) independently increased odds of raised systolic blood pressure in truck drivers.
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