EC Nutrition

Research Article Volume 21 Issue 2 - 2026

Association Between Occupational Stress and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors among Commercial Drivers in North-East Region of Nigeria

Bidemi B Emmanuel1* and Nnenna O Onuoha2

1Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University Wukari, Nigeria
2Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

*Corresponding Author: Bidemi B Emmanuel, Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University Wukari, Nigeria.
Received: December 19, 2025; Published: February 04, 2026



Occupation-related stress is considered a possibly significant risk factor, and as a result many current research have centred on identifying cardiovascular risk factors in certain occupations. Meta-analysis showed that cardiovascular disease risk increased by approximately 50% in relation to high levels of work stress. It is more common for commercial drivers to have CVD because of the high stress they experience. This study examined the relationships between stress levels and CVD risk factors among commercial drivers. It was a cross-sectional study carried out among 924 commercial drivers in northeast Nigeria. Stress level and CVD risk factors related to lifestyle were assessed with the use of a questionnaire. Chi square and Pearson correlation analysis were performed using SPSS version 21. Many of them (47.0%) were at lower stress levels, 44.4% were stressed averagely, 6.9% were stressed moderately higher than average and 1.7% were stressed much higher than average. There was notable inverse relationship (P < 0.01) between (r = -0.120) smoking, alcohol consumption (r = -0.112) and stress level. There was strong correlation (P < 0.01) between physical activity (0.112) and the level of stress. A noteworthy inverse relationship (P < 0.05) was found between the level of stress (r = -0.072) and blood pressure. There was noteworthy positive connection (P < 0.05) between the level of stress (r = 0.118) and blood glucose levels. No discernible relationship existed between the level of stress and the lipid profile parameters. Low level of stress was recorded in this study and this was implicated in the connection between cardiovascular disease risk factors and stress.

 Keywords: Occupational Stress; Cardiovascular Disease; Commercial Drivers; Nigeria

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Bidemi B Emmanuel and Nnenna O Onuoha. “Association Between Occupational Stress and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors among Commercial Drivers in North-East Region of Nigeria”. EC Nutrition  21.2 (2026): 01-10.

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