DETERMINANTS OF ACUTE FATIGUE AMONG BUS DRIVERS IN INDONESIA: EVIDENCE FROM PT X 8X MALANG

This study aims to analyze the prevalence and determinants of acute fatigue among bus drivers, a high-risk occupational group in the transportation sector. Given the potential consequences of fatigue for both occupational health and public safety, identifying its predictors is essential for designing preventive strategies. Previous studies have highlighted fatigue among professional drivers globally, but evidence from Indonesia remains limited. This study contributes new insights by focusing on intercity bus drivers in Malang, East Java, where prolonged driving hours and irregular rest schedules are common. The findings provide context-specific evidence to inform workplace health programs and transport safety regulations. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving all 40 bus drivers employed at PT X 8X in Malang. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire based on the Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), covering sociodemographic, individual, and occupational factors. Associations were tested using chi-square analysis, followed by multivariate logistic regression to identify dominant predictors of acute fatigue. The prevalence of acute fatigue was 62.5%. Multivariate analysis identified smoking habit (OR = 5.65; 95% CI:1.72–10.45), history of chronic disease (OR = 4.08; 95% CI: 1.40–8.62), and working duration exceeding 8 hours/day (OR = 2.79; 95% CI: 1.11–6.13) as significant predictors. Protective factors included older age (OR = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.21–0.89) and better nutritional status (OR = 0.65; 95% CI: 0.24–0.91). These results suggest that lifestyle and health conditions exert stronger effects on fatigue than demographic variables. cute fatigue is highly prevalent among bus drivers and strongly associated with smoking, medical history, and long working hours. Workplace interventions such as smoking cessation programs, regulation of driving hours, and routine health monitoring are recommended. Policymakers should establish evidence-based fatigue management policies to enhance driver welfare and reduce traffic accident risks.