Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 11(4), pp. 407 - 414
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2023.110404
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Association between Abnormal Sleep Duration and Sleepiness and Road Traffic Crashes in Urban Taxi Drivers

Rami Azmi Elshatarat ^1,*, Barbara J. Burgel ^2
1 Department of Medical and Surgical Nursing, College of Nursing, Taibah University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
² Department of Community Health Systems, School of Nursing, University of California, USA

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Road traffic crashes (RTC) and road traffic injuries (RTI) are major health problems facing taxi drivers. Shorter sleep duration (≤7 hours/day) and sleepiness during driving are two risk factors for RTC and RTI. Aims: Identify the associations between shorter sleep duration and sleepiness during driving a taxi and RTC in taxi drivers. Methods: A cross-sectional design and convenience sampling method were used to recruit a total of 130 taxi drivers in San Francisco (California, United States). Data was collected from taxi drivers via interview, using a structured questionnaire. Results: Based on the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) total score, 14% of the subjects had abnormal sleepiness (ESS >10). On average, the subjects slept 7 hours daily, with 64% reporting sleeping ≤7 hours/day. About 22% of participants (n=29) reported at least one crash in the prior 12 months while driving their cab, totaling 45 crashes. Factors associated with abnormal sleep (≤7 hours/day) included not taking pain medication ≥1 time/week, not attending a health and safety training session for taxi driving, and not eating five cups of fruits and vegetables each day. Shorter sleep duration, overall fatigue and higher ESS scores were not significantly associated with RTC. Conclusion: Drivers reported abnormal sleep duration. Twenty-two percent of taxi drivers reported at least one crash in the prior 12-months; 11.5% RTI were reported in the prior 12-months. There were no significant bivariate associations between RTC and ESS, and abnormal sleep. There are opportunities to further explore interventions to enhance sleep hygiene in professional drivers. Clinical Relevance: Recognition of sleepiness in professional drivers is an important public health measure. The most important countermeasure to mitigate drowsy driving is to begin a work shift after sleeping more than 7 hours. Frequent rest breaks, drinking coffee, chewing gum, and opening a car window to refresh air are additional evidence-based countermeasures.

KEYWORDS
Abnormal Sleep, Sleepiness, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Urban Taxi Drivers, Road Traffic Crashes

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Rami Azmi Elshatarat , Barbara J. Burgel , "Association between Abnormal Sleep Duration and Sleepiness and Road Traffic Crashes in Urban Taxi Drivers," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 11, No. 4, pp. 407 - 414, 2023. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2023.110404.

(b). APA Format:
Rami Azmi Elshatarat , Barbara J. Burgel (2023). Association between Abnormal Sleep Duration and Sleepiness and Road Traffic Crashes in Urban Taxi Drivers. Universal Journal of Public Health, 11(4), 407 - 414. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2023.110404.