High likelihood of obstructive sleep apnea and associated factors among road freight transport workers in Brazil

ABSTRACT Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder associated with cardiometabolic conditions, excessive daytime sleepiness, and an increased risk of traffic accidents. Despite the high occupational vulnerability of road freight transport workers, evidence on the prevalence of high likelihood of OSA and its associated factors in Brazil remains limited. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of high likelihood of OSA and identify its associated factors among male road freight transport workers. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using a non-probabilistic sample of 597 drivers recruited at gas stations and parking areas in the municipalities of Formosa and Rio Verde, Goiás, Brazil, in 2024. The Berlin-Questionnaire was used to define a high likelihood of OSA. The investigated associated factors included demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral, health-related, and occupational characteristics. Poisson regression with robust variance was applied to examine factors associated with a high likelihood of OSA. Results The prevalence of a high likelihood of OSA was 39.2% (95%CI: 35.3–43.1). After adjustment, high anxiety, psychological distress, and sweets and coffee consumption were associated with a high likelihood of OSA. Drivers engaging in physical activity and those with higher educational attainment had a lower likelihood of having OSA. Conclusion This study found a high prevalence of Berlin Questionnaire-defined high likelihood of OSA among male road transport drivers, which is associated with sociodemographic, behavioral and health-related factors. These findings support the need for targeted screening and occupational health strategies addressing sleep health, obesity, fatigue, and mental health among road freight transport workers.