Nsiah-Asamoah Christiana Naa Atsreh, Buxton David Nii Baah
Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Cape Coast, Ghana.
Department of Geography and Regional Planning, University of Cape Coast, Ghana.
Heliyon. 2021 Mar 23;7(3):e06512. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e06512. eCollection 2021 Mar.
The World Health Organization indicates that hydration is indispensable to human life. A long-period of dehydration can result in fatigue, drowsiness and mental confusion which can result in committing serious blunders. For commercial drivers, however, these blunders can be life-threatening and their hydration cannot be overemphasized.
This study was therefore undertaken to assess the water intake practices of Commercial Long-Distance drivers (CLDDs). The study was also aimed at assessing their knowledge levels on the role of water in promoting a healthy body and the consequences of dehydration.
CLDDs in Ghana who ply between Accra - Cape Coast - Takoradi or Accra - Kumasi.
A cross-sectional study which involved 256 CLDDs was conducted at six (6) commercial bus stations in Accra and Cape Coast from December 2019 to January 2020. Structured questionnaires were administered to obtain socio-demographic and water intake practices of CLDDs. SPSS was used to generate descriptive statistics based on the data collected.
A high proportion (57.8%) of the CLDDs reported that they drunk about 2500ml-3000ml of water on a daily basis. Most (53.1%) relied on their thirst feeling to prompt them to drink water. A little over half (51.1%) consumed energy drinks believed to hydrate the body. A major barrier to drinking water regularly was to avoid frequent stop-overs to use the washroom while travelling.
The findings reveal concerns about knowledge gaps with regard to the importance of water consumption and barriers to adequate drinking of water among CLDDs. Findings also suggest that many CLDDs relied on their thirst perceptions to prompt them to drink water. Health Education programmes targeting CLDDs should include conveying the importance of water intake and healthy hydration practices for optimal physical and cognitive performance.
世界卫生组织指出，水合作用对人类生命至关重要。长期脱水会导致疲劳、嗜睡和精神错乱，进而可能导致严重失误。然而，对于商业司机来说，这些失误可能会危及生命，因此他们的水合作用再怎么强调都不为过。
因此，本研究旨在评估长途商业司机（CLDDs）的饮水习惯。该研究还旨在评估他们对水在促进身体健康中的作用以及脱水后果的知识水平。
往返于阿克拉 - 开普海岸 - 塔科拉迪或阿克拉 - 库马西之间的加纳CLDDs。
2019年12月至2020年1月，在阿克拉和开普海岸的六个商业汽车站对256名CLDDs进行了一项横断面研究。通过发放结构化问卷来获取CLDDs的社会人口统计学信息和饮水习惯。使用SPSS根据收集到的数据生成描述性统计数据。
很大一部分（57.8%）CLDDs报告称他们每天饮用约2500毫升至3000毫升的水。大多数（53.1%）依靠口渴感来促使他们喝水。略超过一半（51.1%）的人饮用被认为能使身体水合的能量饮料。定期饮水的一个主要障碍是避免在旅行途中频繁停车去洗手间。
研究结果揭示了CLDDs在饮水重要性方面的知识差距以及充足饮水的障碍。研究结果还表明，许多CLDDs依靠口渴感来促使他们喝水。针对CLDDs的健康教育计划应包括传达饮水的重要性以及健康的水合作用习惯对最佳身体和认知表现的重要性。
