PREVALENCE RATE OF ALCOHOL USE DISORDER AMONGST LONG-DISTANCE TRUCK DRIVERS
Abstract
Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) among long-distance truck drivers at Kengas Logistics Limited.
Problem Statement: The workplace has become more stressful post-COVID-19, affecting employees' mental health. Feeling inadequate without solutions can lead to unhealthy coping mechanisms, including alcohol use. Long-distance truck drivers face high stress from long hours and delivery pressures, increasing their reliance on alcohol.
Methodology: The study adopted a case study approach, utilizing a mixed-method approach. Descriptive research design was used. Primary data was collected through questionnaires distributed via Google Forms and analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was done, and chi-square statistics were used to show differences between the independent and dependent variables.
Results: The analysis revealed that 32.7% of the drivers scored higher-risk categories for AUD based on AUDIT scores. The study also demonstrated that AUD had a statistically significant impact on job performance, evidenced by increased accident rates and disciplinary actions (p = 0.00013).
Conclusion and policy recommendation: The study concludes that AUD is a major issue among long-distance truck drivers, driven by individual, organizational, and environmental factors. Recommendations were made to implement a comprehensive alcohol prevention program, review work-hour policies, foster a supportive work environment, and collaborate with healthcare providers to improve access to treatment.
Keywords: Alcohol Use Disorder, Long Distance Truck Drivers, Prevalence, ANOVA
References
Adewunmi, A., & Agwo, P. (2023). Alcohol consumption patterns among long-distance truck drivers in Lagos, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Public Health, 18(2), 56-72.
Adewunmi, T., & Agwo, I. (2023). Patterns of alcohol consumption among long-distance truck drivers in Lagos, Nigeria. Journal of Substance Use, 28(3), 245-259.
Allen, T. D., Cho, E., & Meier, L. L. (2017). Work–family conflict and employee well-being: A meta-analysis. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 107, 155–173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2017.01.001
Assadollahi, Z., Farhadi, M., & Moradi, H. (2023). Effectiveness and reliability of the CAGE questionnaire in detecting alcohol use disorder (AUD) in Khuzistan province, Iran. International Journal of Addiction Studies, 12(4), 88-104.
Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. Prentice-Hall.
Berrones, A., Torres, R., & García, M. (2018). Alcohol consumption among truck drivers in Mexico: A public health concern. Revista de Salud Pública, 20(3), 285–294. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/j.rsp.2018.03
Bigelow, P. L., Betts, D., & O’Hagan, F. T. (2019). Long-haul truck driving and stress: A review of contributing factors and mitigation strategies. International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, 25(1), 123–140. https://doi.org/10.1080/10803548.2018.1476899
Bigelow, S., Carter, J., & Henderson, K. (2019). Alcohol misuse and risk factors among commercial drivers: A systematic review. Journal of Occupational Health, 25(1), 45-60.
Bragazzi, N. L., Dini, G., & Toletone, A. (2018). Workplace safety and alcohol consumption among long-haul truck drivers. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 60(5), 413–419.
Calderón, G., & Castaño, J. (2019). Alcohol use and risky behaviors among Colombian truck drivers. Salud y Seguridad en el Trabajo, 18(2), 90–102.
Calvache-Dorado, C., López-Castro, H., & Ortega, P. (2022). The prevalence of alcohol consumption among truck drivers in Colombia. Journal of Addiction Research & Therapy, 13(2), 120–135.
Cook, R., Davidson, J., & Kim, H. (2018). Screening for alcohol use disorder among truck drivers: Comparison of AUDIT and CAGE tools. Journal of Substance Use, 23(3), 189-198.
Debarbieri, L., & Durando, P. (2021). Binge drinking and alcohol use disorders among European truck drivers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Occupational Medicine, 71(4), 185–196.
García-Perales, M., Pérez, L., & Andrade, S. (2023). Alcohol consumption patterns among long-haul truck drivers in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. Public Health Journal, 45(1), 101–112.
Hege, A., Lemke, M. K., Apostolopoulos, Y., & Sönmez, S. (2019). The impact of work organization on long-haul truck drivers’ health and well-being. Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 24(2), 259–270.
Kegan, R., & Lahey, L. L. (2016). An everyone culture: Becoming a deliberately developmental organization. Harvard Business Review Press.
Kramer, C. M., Peterson, M., & Johnson, R. (2022). Drug and alcohol violations in the trucking industry: A review of clearinghouse data. Journal of Transportation Safety & Security, 14(3), 267–284.
Kumar, R. (2011). Research methodology: A step-by-step guide for beginners (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
Kumar, R., & Singh, P. (2019). Alcohol use among Indian truck drivers: Implications for road safety. Journal of Road Safety, 50(2), 75–89.
Lalla-Edward, S. T., Fischer, A. E., Venter, W. D. F., Coleman, J., Rees, H., & Delany-Moretlwe, S. (2019). Cross-sectional survey of substance use and sexual risk behaviors among long-distance truck drivers in South Africa. BMC Public Health, 19, 1437
Lalla-Edward, S. T., Sorsdahl, K., Townsend, L., & Lombard, C. (2019). Prevalence of alcohol consumption among long-distance truck drivers in South Africa. South African Journal of Psychiatry, 25(1), 122-138.
Lancet. (2022). Global alcohol consumption and its impact on public health. The Lancet Public Health, 7(5), e317–e330.
Leedy, P. D., & Ormrod, J. E. (2019). Practical research: Planning and design (12th ed.). Pearson.
McEwen, B. S. (2017). Neurobiological mechanisms of stress adaptation and maladaptation. Annual Review of Medicine, 68, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-med-050215-030111
Muli, P., & Kyalo, S. (2021). Alcohol use disorder and its effect on job performance among long-distance truck drivers in Kenya. East African Journal of Health Sciences, 9(2), 145-160.
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, (2021). Alcohol Facts and Statistics. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
National Institutes of Health, (2020). Protecting Human Research Participants. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved from https://grants.nih.gov/policy/humansubjects.htm
Nehring, S. M., Goyal, A., & Bansal, P. (2023). Alcohol Use Disorder. StatPearls. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK436964/
Okafor, N. (2023). Assessment of alcohol use disorder among Nigerian truck drivers using the AUDIT tool. Journal of Substance Abuse and Dependence, 17(3), 234-250.
Pérez, L., Ramírez, G., & Castillo, J. (2021). The relationship between alcohol consumption and job performance among Spanish truck drivers. European Journal of Public Health, 31(6), 1203–1211.
Rike, P. (2022). Truck drivers and global supply chains: The unseen workforce. International Journal of Transport Economics, 49(1), 88–104.
Robertson, B., Mason, C., & Burke, J. (2017). Job stress, alcohol use, and social isolation among commercial drivers: A cross-sectional analysis. Transportation Research Journal, 14(2), 98-113.
Shimazu, A., Schaufeli, W. B., Kamiyama, K., & Kawakami, N. (2016). Work engagement and job performance in Japan: The role of psychological capital. International Journal of Workplace Health Management, 9(3), 292–305.
Silva, R., Matos, P., & Rocha, D. (2019). Alcohol consumption and long work shifts among Brazilian truck drivers. Occupational Health Journal, 38(4), 256–269.
Sommers-Flanagan, J., & Sommers-Flanagan, R. (2015). Counseling and psychotherapy theories in context and practice: Skills, strategies, and techniques (2nd ed.). Wiley.
Subramanian, S., Patel, K., & Rao, G. (2021). Validation of AUDIT and CAGE questionnaires for alcohol screening among long-haul drivers. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 63(1), 55-64.
Yang, H., Singla, P., Maheshwari, P., Fontaine, C., & Gil-Mohapel, J. (2022). Disease theory of addiction: A neurobiological perspective on alcohol use disorder. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 139, 104715.
Yosef, A. (2020). Alcohol consumption and associated factors among long-distance truck drivers in Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study. African Journal of Public Health, 35(2), 112-125.
Yosef, A. (2020). Alcohol consumption and health risk factors among long-distance truck drivers in Ethiopia. Ethiopian Journal of Public Health, 20(1), 35-50.
Zhang, L., Wang, Y., & Li, H. (2020). Alcohol use and risky driving behaviors among professional truck drivers in China. Traffic Injury Prevention, 21(2), 150–162.
