Psychosocial stress at work and cardiovascular risk factors among urban bus drivers

Background. Bus drivers have a higher risk of psychosocial stress at work, such as time and schedule pressure and customer contact. Objectives. The aim of the study was to examine whether bus drivers have a higher risk of psychosocial stress at work in relation to population control subjects as measured by subjective and objective stress parameters. Methods. Between 2011 and 2012 various objective stress parameters from 101 bus drivers and 100 population control subjects were investigated by means of a standardized questionnaire. Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for the relative risks and the t-test was used to compare the mean values between bus drivers and controls. Subjective and objective parameters were compared within the bus drivers. The statistical program SPSS version 20 was used for calculations. Results. Bus drivers were found to have a statistically significant lower risk for participation, need of cooperation, latitude, colleague support, social contact, leeway in decision-making and statistically significant higher risks for time pressure and predictability. Bus drivers had a statistically significant higher or borderline higher risk for high levels of cortisol in the first half of shiftwork and high blood pressure in the second half of shiftwork, on the journey home and in leisure time. A statistically significant correlation was found between complex work situations and high blood sugar levels and between low latitude and high levels of adrenaline. Conclusions. The results of the present study show that bus drivers are exposed to psychosocial stress at work as measured by subjective and objective stress parameters.