What is it about?
In the socio-economic context of Bangladesh, professional drivers are a neglected and underserved group in national health policies. Due to long working hours, irregular routines, and limited access to healthcare and health education, they face an increased risk of developing diabetes. In this study, we screened 1,454 professional drivers from northeastern Bangladesh using random blood glucose (RBG) testing to assess both their diabetes status and awareness. Surprisingly, 32 drivers (2.2%) were found to have undiagnosed diabetes. The highest prevalence occurred among middle-aged and overweight individuals, especially those with a family history of diabetes or short sleep duration. These findings highlight a critical gap in public health outreach and the importance of early detection. Our study emphasizes the need for routine blood glucose screening and targeted education programs for this high-risk and underrepresented group, like professional drivers. Incorporating such measures into national policy could improve driver health and reduce road safety risks associated with unmanaged diabetes.
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Why is it important?
This study is the first in Bangladesh to investigate undiagnosed diabetes among professional drivers, a high-risk but underserved population often excluded from national health programs. We utilized random blood glucose (RBG) screening in an opportunistic setting, demonstrating its feasibility and efficiency in a resource-limited context. Our findings revealed that a measurable number of drivers had undiagnosed diabetes and were advised to seek clinical evaluation. Risk was particularly elevated among middle-aged and overweight individuals, especially those with a family history of diabetes or inadequate sleep. This has critical implications for both public health and road safety, as untreated diabetes can impair reaction time and decision-making behind the wheel. The study provides a scalable model for early diabetes detection in other underserved populations and supports integrating targeted health education and mass blood glucose screening into the existing national health policy frameworks
Perspectives
Working on this project was a deeply thought-provoking experience. It focused on professional drivers, people we rely on every day, yet rarely consider in terms of their well-being. In Bangladesh, many of these individuals come from disadvantaged backgrounds, with limited access to formal education or healthcare. Despite this, they play a vital role in public health and safety. The condition of a bus driver, for instance, directly affects the safety of every passenger and pedestrian on the road. Imagine a middle-aged driver who is sleep-deprived, overweight, and unaware that he is diabetic. A sudden spike or drop in his blood glucose while driving could put many lives at risk. This scenario highlights how health inequities among neglected groups can have far-reaching consequences. Through this study, I also came to realize how far behind we are in terms of public health education. While many developed countries include diabetes screening in driver fitness assessments, Bangladesh currently does not. However, the introduction of mandatory dope tests for license renewal shows that policy change is possible. I hope this study will encourage policymakers to integrate random blood glucose screening as part of that process. Ultimately, I believe that mass blood glucose screening should be included in Bangladesh’s national health strategy, not just to prevent disease, but to protect lives on the road and uphold the basic human right to healthcare
Md Sakil Arman
Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Opportunistic random blood glucose screening among professional drivers in northeastern Bangladesh: Assessing undiagnosed diabetes and health awareness, PLOS Global Public Health, June 2025, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0004828.
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