Health Status, Lifestyle Behaviours and Occupational Correlates among Commercial Drivers in Akure, Nigeria (Published)
Commercial drivers are central to Nigeria’s transport economy but face prolonged sitting, long hours, irregular meals and limited access to care. Evidence on the health status of drivers in Ondo State, and on how it differs between intracity and intercity drivers, is limited.To determine the health status and lifestyle behaviours of intracity and intercity commercial drivers in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria, and to examine the association between health status and their socio-demographic and occupational characteristics.A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 429 commercial drivers (260 intercity, 169 intracity) recruited from four motor parks and the taxi drivers’ union in Akure. A validated structured questionnaire assessed self-rated health, functional status, lifestyle behaviours and self-reported medical conditions. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests.Respondents were predominantly male (98.6%), with a mean age of 45.86 ± 11.23 years. Although 52.4% rated themselves very healthy and 61.5% had high functional independence, 30.8% reported at least one medical condition. Back pain (31.0%), body pain (30.1%), hypertension (22.6%) and arthritis (21.0%) were most common. Alcohol use (73.7%), energy drink use (80.0%), smoking (38.9%), meal skipping (31.4%) and unhealthy snacking (46.6%) were frequent. Health status was significantly associated with age, route type, vehicle type, driving experience and continuous driving time, but not with income or education. Positive self-rated health masks a substantial burden of musculoskeletal and cardiometabolic conditions and risky lifestyle behaviours. Occupational rather than socio-economic factors were linked to health status, supporting motor park-based screening and occupational health programmes.
Keywords: Commercial drivers, Health Status, Nigeria, lifestyle behaviours, musculoskeletal pain, occupational health