Sleep disorders and leading chronic non-communicable diseases risk factors in locomotive crew workers

Sleep disorders are currently considered a correctable psychosocial risk factor (RF) for chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs), with the prevalence of the RF in the general population of 32.1%. Due to the high importance of the health of locomotive crew members (LCMs) for traffic safety, studying sleep disorders is relevant. Objective. To assess the risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases and sleep disorders in locomotive crews. Materials and methods. One hundred ten locomotive drivers and assistant engine drivers at Barnaul station were included in the study. An assessment of the RFs for CNCDs and sleep disorders was performed using a questionnaire developed by the Scientific Clinical Center of the JSCo «RZD». Results. LCMs showed a high prevalence of behavioral FRs, such as smoking (45.5%), physical inactivity (57.3%), inadequate dietary intake of vegetables and fruits (46.4%), and metabolic FRs, including overweight and obesity (67.3%), dyslipidemia (48.2%), a high level of stress according to the Reeder Stress Inventory was detected in 16.4%. When analyzing the sleep characteristics in LCMs, it was found that 43.6% of employees had a sleep duration of less than 6 hours after the night shift, 24.6% after the day shift, and 11.8% on their day off. One third of LCMs had some kind of sleep disturbance (light sleep in 51.4% and insomnia in 2.9% of subjects). Every fourth driver experienced drowsiness during a trip, with 89.3% of them experiencing drowsiness during the night shift. Most LCMs employed various methods to combat drowsiness, with the most common being tea, exercise, coffee, and smoking. Conclusion. The obtained data are used for implementing personalized preventive and recovery measures (motivational individual and group preventive counseling on risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases) for locomotive crews in the prevention offices and departments, and sleep disorder offices.