Use of Alcohol Mixed with Energy Drinks Increases the Prevalence of Driving Violations among Brazilian Truck Drivers

Bibliographic Data

ID21646277
AuthorsLucio Garcia De Oliveira (0000-0001-9805-8347, Department of Legal Medicine, Ethics and Occupational Health, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brasil, corresponding author), Frederico Eckschmidt (Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brasil), Vilma Leyton (0000-0002-5101-1290, Department of Legal Medicine, Ethics and Occupational Health, School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brasil), Heráclito Barbosa Carvalho (0000-0002-7037-5655, Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brasil)
Year2020
Volume55
Issue10
Pages1584-1593
Publication date2020-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueSubstance Use & Misuse (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1082-6084 • E-ISSN: 1532-2491
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10826084.2020.1750032
PMID32306815
OpenAlexW3016739211
LanguageEN
References cited44

Background: The use of alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED) has been reported to be associated with a variety of unsafe driving practices. Truck drivers are vulnerable to driving violations, particularly because of their engagement in drug use. The use of AmED among these professionals remains unknown. Aim: To estimate the prevalence of AmED use and its association with driving violations among truck drivers. Methods: 684 drivers were recruited in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The use of drugs was reported. Drivers were split into three groups: (a) alcohol abstainers (AA); (b) alcohol-only users (AO); and (c) users of AmED. Intergroup comparisons were performed by polynomial logistic regression (the reference category was AO). We also performed Poisson regression analysis to obtain the prevalence ratio; the significance level was stipulated at 5%. Results: The prevalence of drivers reporting the use of AmED was 16.8%. Users of AmED (a) were younger, (b) were less experienced drivers, (c) had a heavier pattern of alcohol use, (d) used illicit drugs more frequently, and (e) had poorer sleep quality than AO subjects. A higher prevalence of drivers who had arguments or fights while driving (PR = 1.71) and of drivers who drove unbelted (PR = 1.66) ingested AmED than of AO subjects. Conclusions/importance: The use of AmED increased the prevalence of driving violations beyond the risks commonly attributed to alcohol use. We suggest additional investments in preventative measures based on the beverage category and a revision of the work organization of truck drivers to reduce their health and social risks

Environmental health · Injury prevention · Logistic regression · Occupational safety and health · Poison control · Poisson regression · Population · Suicide prevention · Coffee research and impacts · Demography · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Medicine · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Psychology · Smoking Behavior and Cessation

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