Comparison between two programmes for reducing the levels of risk indicators of heart diseases among male professional drivers.

OBJECTIVES: To compare two programmes for reducing the levels of risk indicators of heart diseases among professional drivers. The programmes were focused on changes of lifestyle. The aim of the programmes was to initiate and motivate a process of change within the driver, which in the long term should lead to permanent and sound health habits. One programme was based on health profile assessment and the other was a health examination. METHODS: Altogether, 102 subjects were investigated (51 allocated to an intervention group and 51 to a reference group). The programme in the intervention group (health profile assessment) was based on revelatory communication, adjusted to the driver and contained individual and group activities. The reference group went through a health examination. In both groups blood pressure, serum lipid concentrations, body mass index, and estimated maximal oxygen uptake were measured and the lifestyle habits were surveyed by questionnaires at the start and at follow ups of 6 and 18 months. RESULTS: The results showed that in the intervention group the maximal oxygen uptake increased, as did exercise habits and the intention to practice good dietary habits. Variable working hours was the most common obstacle to change a health habit. In the reference group the maximal oxygen uptake increased and the concentration of serum total cholesterol and the number of people who perceived stress and loneliness decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Both the health profile assessment and the health examination had an effect on the levels of some risk indicators of heart diseases. Both programmes turned out to be useful because of high participation during the entire period and a generally positive attitude among the subjects.

Determinants of self-reported neck-shoulder and low back symptoms in a general population.

STUDY DESIGN: A combined cross-sectional and longitudinal design. OBJECTIVES: To investigate relation between, on one hand, self-reported neck-shoulder symptoms and, on the other hand, low back symptoms and self-reported work-related physical load, psychosocial factors, and individual characteristics and to study the influence of physical capacity in adolescence on neck-shoulder and low back symptoms in adulthood. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Heavy physical work and exposure to vibration constitute risk factors for low back problems, and repetitive and static work are risk factors for neck-shoulder symptoms in many jobs. The interplay between individual factors and work-related psychosocial and physical exposure, however, is not well documented. This study addresses effects of adolescent capacity on this interplay in a general population. METHODS: A random sample of 425 Swedish students was investigated when the students were 16 years and 34 years of age. Sixty-five percent participated in both examinations; only those who worked > or = 16 hours/week at the follow-up period, 148 men and 90 women, were included in these analyses. Data about musculoskeletal symptoms, work, and sociodemographic and individual characteristics were collected at the age of 34 years; physical performance data were collected at the ages of 16 years and 34 years. RESULTS: Among the men, self-employment and worry were associated with neck-shoulder symptoms; among the women, monotonous work and high decision latitude were associated with neck-shoulder symptoms. Low back problems were related to monotonous work among men and women and to exposure to vibration among men. Performance in certain fitness tests at the ages of 16 years and 34 years was negatively associated with musculoskeletal symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The inverse relationships between performance at the age of 16 years and adult musculoskeletal symptoms may imply benefits of early fitness training.

Risk indicators of ischemic heart disease among male professional drivers in Sweden.

Possible risk indicators of ischemic heart disease relevant to the occupation of professional driving were identified in a cohort of 440 professional drivers and 1000 referents from the Swedish countries of Västerbotten and Norrbotten. The subjects were randomly selected. Data on cardiovascular risk indicators were collected from questionnaires, blood pressure measurements, serum lipid levels, height, and weight. The results showed that significantly more drivers than referents were overweight, smokers, and shift workers; were sedentary in their leisure time; and had a work situation characterized by high demands, low decision latitude, and low social support. There were no significant differences concerning blood pressure and serum lipid levels. The odds ratio for having a high score on a cardiovascular risk index was 3.18 (95% confidence interval 2.41-4.20) for the drivers when they were compared with the referents. When adjusted for age, heredity, shift work, educational level, marital status, and working class, the odds ratio was 2.34 (95% confidence interval 1.70-3.21).

Factors influencing the turnover of Swedish professional drivers.

The aim of the study was to investigate the occupational turnover among Swedish professional drivers in order to explain if there is a health-based dropout from the job. The retrospective study covered the period from 1974 to 1985 and included 1,731 male members of the Swedish Transport Workers' Union in 1974. A questionnaire concerning occupation since 1974 was sent 1986 to 1,567 subjects (91% of the sample); 84% replied, of whom 55% were still working as professional drivers, 29% had switched to another trade, and 14% had retired. An AID analysis showed that the variables age and education reduced the variance of the number of change of job most between 30 and 54 years of age and the variable location at the age of 29 or younger. The most common reasons for leaving the trade were irregular working hours, musculoskeletal complaints and dissatisfaction with the salary. Older drivers often stated health factors such as musculoskeletal complaints and cardiovascular diseases as reasons for leaving the trade.

Alcohol consumption and complaints from the musculoskeletal system among engine drivers--an epidemiological study.

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that a positive correlation exist between level of alcohol consumption and complaints from the musculoskeletal system. 150 randomly selected engine drivers from Sweden were interviewed about complaints from the musculoskeletal system during the last 12 months. In this study the complaints from the neck, shoulders and lower back were investigated. An index counting number of regions with complaints was computed. The subjects were asked to report their level of alcohol consumption during the last month (beer, wine and spirits). The total alcohol consumption was calculated expressed in terms of 40% pure alcohol. The median consumption was 39.5 cl/month. The engine drivers reporting complaints from the neck had a significantly higher consumption of alcohol than those without such complaints. A positive significant correlation existed between the number of complaints (index) and alcohol consumption.

The period prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints among Swedish professional drivers.

The aim of the investigation was to survey the period prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints among Swedish professional drivers. 460 out of 570 male drivers answered a postal inquiry. The period prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints was highest for the low back, the shoulders, the knees and the neck, in that order. For some parts of the musculoskeletal system the period prevalence of complaints tended to increase with age. A subdivision of the examined group of drivers according to task revealed--after standardizing for age (SRR)--different relative risk of complaints in various anatomical regions of the body. The interaction among some variables was studied by means of Automatic Interaction Detection Analysis. The analysis showed that the variables age and task reduced the variance of the period prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints most.