Stress and its relation to cardiovascular disease risk factors among long route drivers
1
Kathmandu Institute of Child Health, Kathmandu, Nepal
2
School of Public Health and Community Medicine, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
3
Department of Psychiatry, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2377
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of global mortality, with stress recognized as a key modifiable risk factor. 1,2,3 The prevalence of CVD and its associated risks is increasing, particularly among long-route drivers a high-risk occupational group exposed to chronic stressors such as shift work, long hours, inadequate sleep, traffic congestion, and limited family time.4 This study assessed perceived stress and its association with CVD risk factors among long-route drivers in Province One, Nepal.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 260 long route drivers aged ≥18 years from Sunsari, Jhapa, and Morang districts. Data collection involved face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire adapted from WHO STEPS and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure readings were obtained. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression to identify associations.
RESULTS:
The mean age of participants was 37.7±10.9 years; all were male. Perceived stress prevalence was 53.1%. High prevalence of behavioral risk factors was noted: 93.5% ever tobacco users, 90.8% ever alcohol consumers, 69.6% low physical activity, 56.5% obesity (BMI≥25), 37.7% hypertension, and 11.5% diabetes. Multivariable analysis revealed that night shift driving (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.80; 95% CI 1.67-8.65), ever smoking (AOR 2.95; 95% CI 1.10-7.91), obesity (AOR 1.95; 95% CI 1.01-3.79), alcohol consumption >14 units/week (AOR 2.31; 95% CI 1.07-5.01) were significantly associated with perceived stress.
CONCLUSIONS:
More than half of the long route drivers perceive stress, which is strongly associated with modifiable CVD risk factors including tobacco use, obesity, heavy alcohol consumption, and night shift work. Targeted health interventions addressing stress reduction and lifestyle modification are needed to reduce CVD risk among this high-risk occupational group.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of global mortality, with stress recognized as a key modifiable risk factor. 1,2,3 The prevalence of CVD and its associated risks is increasing, particularly among long-route drivers a high-risk occupational group exposed to chronic stressors such as shift work, long hours, inadequate sleep, traffic congestion, and limited family time.4 This study assessed perceived stress and its association with CVD risk factors among long-route drivers in Province One, Nepal.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 260 long route drivers aged ≥18 years from Sunsari, Jhapa, and Morang districts. Data collection involved face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire adapted from WHO STEPS and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure readings were obtained. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression to identify associations.
RESULTS:
The mean age of participants was 37.7±10.9 years; all were male. Perceived stress prevalence was 53.1%. High prevalence of behavioral risk factors was noted: 93.5% ever tobacco users, 90.8% ever alcohol consumers, 69.6% low physical activity, 56.5% obesity (BMI≥25), 37.7% hypertension, and 11.5% diabetes. Multivariable analysis revealed that night shift driving (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.80; 95% CI 1.67-8.65), ever smoking (AOR 2.95; 95% CI 1.10-7.91), obesity (AOR 1.95; 95% CI 1.01-3.79), alcohol consumption >14 units/week (AOR 2.31; 95% CI 1.07-5.01) were significantly associated with perceived stress.
CONCLUSIONS:
More than half of the long route drivers perceive stress, which is strongly associated with modifiable CVD risk factors including tobacco use, obesity, heavy alcohol consumption, and night shift work. Targeted health interventions addressing stress reduction and lifestyle modification are needed to reduce CVD risk among this high-risk occupational group.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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