Abstract
BACKGROUND: Commercial drivers have been identified as eliciting behaviours that promote non- communicable diseases and road traffic accidents. The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence and pattern of alcohol use, smoking and physical inactivity among commercial taxi drivers in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa.
 
 METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 403 commercial drivers using the face-to-face interviews method. The WHO STEPwise questionnaire was used to obtain the demographic data, self-reported rate of alcohol consumption, tobacco use and physical inactivity.
 
 RESULTS: The participants’ mean age was 43.3 ± 12.5 years. About 30% of the participants were daily smokers, 37% consumed alcohol regularly and only 18% were physically active, whilst 82% were physically inactive.
 
 CONCLUSION: The prevalence of alcohol use, smoking and physical inactivity is high among commercial drivers in East London. Workplace health education on the health effects of these lifestyles’ risky behaviours on individuals and the general public should be given to the drivers.
Highlights
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) plus resultant injuries are serious public health concerns, currently responsible for about 70% of all mortality worldwide, with 80% of these deaths occurring in the low-and middle income countries (World Health Organization [WHO], 2017)
The prevalence of alcohol use, smoking and physical inactivity is high among commercial drivers in East London
Workplace health education on the health effects of these lifestyles’ risky behaviours on individuals and the general public should be given to the drivers
Summary
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) plus resultant injuries are serious public health concerns, currently responsible for about 70% of all mortality worldwide, with 80% of these deaths occurring in the low-and middle income countries (World Health Organization [WHO], 2017). Injuries resulting from road accidents form part of the components of non-communicable diseases and are one of the leading causes of death and disability, both in the developed and developing countries. Both NCDs and road traffic accidents are recognized as significant health challenges which are commonly in disguise (Marquez & Farrington, 2013). The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence and pattern of alcohol use, smoking and physical inactivity among commercial taxi drivers in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa
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