Prevalence and driving-related factors influencing prediabetes and diabetes among commercial drivers in Benin City metropolis, Edo State, Nigeria

This study aimed to describe the prevalence and driving-related risk-factors influencing prediabetes and diabetes in commercial drivers, Benin City metropolis, Edo State, Nigeria. Descriptive cross-sectional study of public transport drivers aged between 20 - 70 years (mean age 48.09 ± 11.21 years) was conducted in Benin City. Purposive-sampling technique was used to recruit 341 subjects into the survey. Structured questionnaires were administered to all participants to collect their demographic and personal information. Fasting blood sugar (FBS) values were obtained using ACCU-CHEK Active Model: GB 31041669 device. Normal, prediabetes and diabetes FBS values were considered as 70 - 99 mg/dL, 100 - 125 mg/dL and greater than 125 mg/dL, respectively. SPSS version 29 was used to analyse information obtained. Significant level considered was at probability less than 0.05. Majority of respondents were males (95.6%). Overall prevalence of prediabetes was 26.4%, and diabetes was 9.1%. The mean FBS was 99.90 mg/dl; the 50th and 75th percentile were 97.0 mg/dL, and 110.0 mg/dL respectively. Age, educational level, driving experience years, and daily driving hours were driving-related factors that significantly influenced prediabetes and diabetes (P < 0.05). High prevalence of prediabetes may progress to diabetes without intervention. Fatigue due to long hours of driving daily may be a predisposing factor to road traffic accident. We, therefore, recommend that driver’s unions should support commercial drivers to check their fasting blood sugar regularly.