The Prevalence and Predictors of MetS Among Commercial Long Distance Bus Drivers (CLDBDs) in Cape Coast, Ghana

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<i>Background</i>: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a foremost risk consideration for the development of cardiovascular disease which is a major cause of mortality around the globe. <i>Objective</i>: This study determined the prevalence and predictors of MetS amongst Commercial Long Distance Bus Drivers (CLDBDs) in Cape Coast, Ghana. <i>Methods</i>: A cross sectional study design that conveniently enrolled 170 registered male CLDBDs from five bus Unions. We included in the study long distance bus drivers registered at the unions, with a valid drivers’ license C. Obesity was determined using the WHO cut-offs. We determined blood pressure among the drivers through diastolic and systolic readings of arterial blood pressures and categorized based on the WHO cut offs. Fasting blood glucose level was reached through laboratory analysis. The MetS was determined based on ATP III NCEP criteria. Percentages were presented for socio-demographic and lifestyle variables. Chi-square statistics was performed on socio-demographic, occupational and lifestyle factors associated with MetS. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine the factors that predicted the likelihood of developing metabolic syndrome at 95% confidence interval (95%CI). <i>Results</i>: The average age and duration of commercial long-distance driving were 41± 8 years and 18± 8 hours respectively. About 14.2% were obese. A total of 22.4% had diastolic blood pressure 90 mmHg or higher and 21.2% had systolic blood pressure 140 mmHg or higher. About 2.2% of respondents had high levels of LDL-c and 8.8% had high HDL-c levels. Whilst 2.2% had high levels of triglyceride, 4.4% had high levels of total cholesterol (TC). About 82.6% had fasting blood glucose level > 6.1 mmol/L. The prevalence of MetS was 44% alcohol intake was statistically associated with metabolic syndrome (p< 0.01). Alcohol intake predicted MetS [OR=5.17; 95% CI: 1.75-15.2; P=0.03]. <i>Conclusion</i>: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was high among this group. Out of the five symptoms used for MetS classification, fasting blood glucose proportion was highest and alcohol intake placed drivers at about five times at risk of development of MetS compared with drivers who do not.