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Published on: December 29, 2016
Sleep habits, sleepiness and accidents among truck drivers
José Carlos Souza1, Teresa Paiva, Rubens Reimão
1Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal. josecarlossouza@uol.com.br
Objective:
To evaluate the quality of sleep, shift work, alcohol and psychostimulant drug use, and the prevalence of accidents among truck drivers.
Method:
Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). Statistical analysis was conducted using the Student t, chi-square, Pearson and Fisher tests.
Results:
43.2% of the drivers drove over 16 h a day, and 2.9% worked shifts. Mean number of sleep hours/day was 5.97+/-1.47; 23.8% slept <5 hours; 50.9% made use of alcohol, 95.6% of caffeine, and 11.1% of amphetamines. Mean PSQI was 4.95+/-2.56; 35.4% had a PSQI >5; 23 subjects snored more than three times a week (11.1%). Mean ESS was 6.56+/-4.2; 21.7% had a score >10. In the preceding five years, 27 drivers (13.1%) were involved in accidents, 5 of which resulted in injuries and 3 in deaths.
Conclusion:
Results showed a high prevalence of sleep disorders, use of alcohol and psychostimulant drugs, and accidents.
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