HABITS AND SLEEP DISORDERS OF TAXISTS

Resumo

Introduction: Sleep quality is directly connected to habits and sleep disorders. When we’re sleeping, the body performs extremely important functions: strengthening of the immune system, secretion and release of hormones, memory consolidation, among others. In addition, there is a
link between sleep habits and disorders, as the need for hours of sleep is variable among people, but deprivation of sleep has sometimes irreparable consequences, such as domestic, work and traffic accidents. Thus, the present study evaluated the habits and sleep disorders of taxi drivers
in the city of Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, and their influence on their daily. Material and Methods: This is a quantitative, exploratory-descriptive cross-sectional study. Initially, the project was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of UCDB. After na explanation regarding the purposes of the project, the population was asked to sign the Free and Informed Consent Term. The study included 78 taxi drivers from the central region of Campo Grande - MS. In this way, the number of respondents was proportional to the number of taxis at each point, in order to have a reliable and representative sample of the reality studied. A socio-demographic
questionnaire was applied with the variables: sex, age, schooling, time of profession; the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The second consists of 19 self-reporting questions and 5 questions directed at the spouse. The 19 questions are categorized into seven components, graded in scores from zero (no difficulty) to three (severe difficulty). A total score greater than five indicates that the individual is experiencing major dysfunctions in at least two components, or moderate dysfunction in at least three componentes. Results: Concerning the analysis of the results, statistics were elaborated relating to socio-demographic variables and to good or bad
sleep habits. Among the taxi drivers, 72 were men, half had full secondary education (52.6%), whites (44.9%), most married (69.2%) and 85.9% had children, resided with family 83.3% and 78.2% at home; 11.5% of them were already retired; 37.2% had use of alcoholic beverages, coffee 60.3% and tereré 28.2%, 17.9% smoked cigarettes; half did some physical activity. Nineteen taxi drivers (26.8%) presented signs of sleep disorders. Finally, it was also obtained through the PSQI, 73.2% with good index, and 26.8% with bad. Discussion and Conclusion: According to the socio-demographic and PSQI data, it can be concluded that the taxi drivers of
the city of Campo Grande have a good quality of life and sleep, but they can be potentiated in their improvement with some changes in their habits of life, highligthing the presence, or not, of physical activities in the routine of the worker.