Sleep habits, sleepiness and accidents among truck drivers.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the quality of sleep, shift work, alcohol and psychostimulant drug use, and the prevalence of accidents among truck drivers.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Results showed a high prevalence of sleep disorders, use of alcohol and psychostimulant drugs, and accidents.
Souza
José Carlos
JC
Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal. josecarlossouza@uol.com.br
Paiva
Teresa
T
Reimão
Rubens
R
D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018986:Motor Vehicles; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012890:Sleep; D020178:Sleep Disorders, Circadian Rhythm / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014940:Work Schedule Tolerance / Q000502:physiology