Patterns of Harmful Alcohol Consumption among Truck Drivers: Implications for Occupational Health and Work Safety from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

• Main Authors: Nicola Luigi Bragazzi, Guglielmo Dini, Alessandra Toletone, Alborz Rahmani, Alfredo Montecucco, Emanuela Massa, Alessia Manca, Ottavia Guglielmi, Sergio Garbarino, Nicoletta Debarbieri, Paolo Durando
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-05-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: harmful use of alcohol; truck-drivers; occupational health and well-being; systematic review and meta-analysis
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15/6/1121

Alcohol consumption is one of the main causes of productivity losses arising from absenteeism, presenteeism, and workplace injuries. Among occupational categories most affected by the use of this substance, truck drivers are subject to risk factors and risky behaviors that can have a serious impact on their health, their work, and the general road safety. The use of alcohol during truck-driving activities is, indeed, an important risk factor for traffic accidents. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aims at synthesizing the literature regarding harmful alcohol consumption patterns among truck drivers in a rigorous way. A ‘binge drinking’ prevalence of 19.0%, 95% confidence interval or CI (13.1, 26.9) was present. An ‘everyday drinking’ pattern rate of 9.4%, 95% CI (7.0, 12.4) was found, while the rate of alcohol misuse according to the “Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test” (AUDIT)—“Cut down-Annoyed-Guilty-Eye opener questionnaire” (CAGE) instruments was computed to be of 22.7%, 95% CI (14.8, 33.0). No evidence of publication bias could be found. However, there is the need to improve the quality of published research, utilizing standardized reliable instruments. The knowledge of these epidemiological data can be useful for decision makers in order to develop, design, and implement ad hoc adequate policies.