Low Back Pain Among Turkish Drivers

The professional drivers placed in high risk group for chronic disease because of working conditions. The objective of this study is to provide general information about lifestyle and sociodemographic characteristics, health status and using personal protective equipment among drivers. The study design was cross-sectional. Subjects were 143 male drivers registrated Duzce Regional Drivers Association. A questionnaire form including sociodemographic characteristics, health status and using personal protective equipment was recorded. Weight and height were measured. Median age of the study group was 39.5 years. Fifty-three percent of study group have been use truck. A median year as professional drivers was 16. Sixty-nine percent of the drivers were smoker and 27.3% of the drivers were alcohol user. First five ranks of self-reported health problems were 41.8% low back pain, 29.6% visual problems and back pain, 27.7% rheumatoid diseases, 24.6% stomach pain and 23.1% hemorrhoids. Twenty-one percent of study group reported exercise regularly. Median BMI of the group was 26.49. Using gloves was 34.5% and using sun-glasses was 23.2%. Participatory education program must be implemented related to health problems of drivers.