Nutritional status and alcohol consumption of commercial drivers in Enugu North Local Government Enugu area of Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Alcohol is a psychoactive substance and its excessive intake has been linked to various nutritional diseases.

Objective: This study assessed the nutritional status and alcohol consumption of commercial motor drivers in Enugu North LGA of Enugu State.

Methods: Simple random sampling was used to select two hundred and fifty (250) commercial motor drivers from five commercial motor parks within the Local Government Area. A modified and semi-structured interviewer's administered questionnaire was used to elicit information on the respondents' sociodemographic characteristics, food habits, and alcohol consumption respectively while anthropometric method was used to assess nutritional status with the use of weighing scale (weight) and heightometer (height). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data at p <0.05.

Result: The majority (40%) were between 30-39years, 71.6% married, 52.4% secondary school and 98% Igbo. About 53% ate twice a day, 91% skipped their lunch meal and 90% bought their food from a vendor. Beer consumption (24.4%) was the highest and the majority were overweight (47.6%). A significant association between socio-demographic characteristics, alcohol consumption and nutritional status was observed (p<0.05). The majorities of the respondents consumed alcohol (91.4%), especially beer, in high proportions (54%), had poor dietary habits and, as a result, were overweight. Alcohol consumption was associated with the socio-demographic characteristics and nutritional status of the respondents.

Conclusion: Appropriate nutrition education to promote healthy eating habits and lifestyles is thus required.