The effect of energy drink consumption on fatigue and sleep disorders in bus drivers

ABSTRACT

This study was performed in order to determine the effect of energy drinks (ED) use on fatigue and sleep disorders in bus drivers. It was planned between April and May 2017 as a descriptive and cross-sectional design. 239 out of the 357 bus drivers who met the criteria of accepting to participate from Zonguldak. In the study, the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, the Fatigue Severity Scale, and a 19-item questionnaire developed by the researchers evaluating the sociodemographic and their status regarding ED use. The statistical analysis of the data was conducted using the SPSS 17.0 program. In data analysis, percentages, mean values, chi-squared, Pearson correlation, and one-way ANOVA tests were used. Of the drivers 31.8% consumed ED regularly. Drivers with good economic status (p = .04), who are young (p = .01), single (p = .001), and take no vacations (p = .04) consume more ED. Fatigue intensity of regular ED consumers being significantly higher (p = .03). Although most of the drivers had no information on ED, one third used ED. The sleep quality of approximately one third of drivers who used ED was bad with severe fatigue. Drivers who thought that ED was harmless consumed more ED.

KEYWORDS:

• bus driver
• energy drinks
• fatigue
• sleep quality

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicting interests.