Md Rokonuzzaman1, #, Md Mahdi Hasan1, #, Shafikul Islam1, Md Sohan Hossain1, Md Alamin1, Gareth J Hollands2, Md Shafayat Hossain1, 3, *
1Department of Pharmacy, Manarat International University, Bangladesh.
2EPPI Centre, UCL Social Research Institute, University College London.
3School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom.
#These authors contribute equally.
*Correspondence: Dr. Shafayat- m.s.hossain@bham.ac.uk
ABSTRACT
Background Globally, drug and alcohol use are known to be high among transport workers, including bus drivers. However, to date, there has been no comprehensive study of this phenomenon in South Asia, including Bangladesh. This research aims to further understanding of the characteristics and determinants of drug and alcohol use amongst a hard-to-access population of transport workers, to inform the development of future interventions.
Methods: Cross-sectional study investigating drug and alcohol use and associated factors among male bus drivers (n=503; ranging in age from 13–74 years (mean = 32)) in Dhaka City and surrounding areas, Bangladesh, via in-person interviews and questionnaires utilising both quantitative and qualitative assessments.
Results: Drug and alcohol use was found to be widespread in this population. Other than near-ubiquitous tobacco use, the most commonly used drug was marijuana, used by nearly three-quarters of respondents. A wide range of other substances were also used, including wine or other alcohol products, vang, yaba, heroin or other injection drugs, and glue. Many participants reported using multiple drugs simultaneously, and spending significant proportions of their income on use. Greater levels of drug use were associated with lower levels of education and being aged 26-30. Psychosocial personal and social factors such as experience of difficult family circumstances or crises, depression and low mood, and being subject to dishonest or unsupportive employers and associated negative peer influences, were cited as important determinants of drug use. Additionally, there were multiple indications of poor physical health status in this population.
Conclusions: This study highlights widespread drug use among bus drivers in Bangladesh and its relationship with an array of related sociodemographic, psychosocial, and health factors and determinants. These findings further understanding of the complex root causes of this pervasive problem in an under-studied population, and emphasise the need for multi-faceted interventions to address it, and ultimately enhance well-being, productivity, and minimise negative societal impacts.