Occupational sedentary behaviour, physical activity profile and determinants of prolonged sitting among shift workers in the industrial sector of Abidjan: A comparative cross-sectional study

Background: Occupational sedentary behaviour is a major and understudied cardiometabolic risk factor in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among shift workers in the industrial sector.
Objective: To assess occupational sedentary behaviour and its socio-occupational determinants among shift workers in the Greater Abidjan industrial sector.
Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 480 shift workers from three industrial sectors: food processing (n = 120), construction/maintenance (BTP, n = 90), and services/administration (n = 270). Occupational sitting time was assessed using the OSPAQ, leisure-time physical activity using the short-form IPAQ, sedentary behaviour classification using the ONAPS-PAQ, and determinants were identified by Ridge-penalised logistic regression (L2).
Results: Overall, 71.9% of workers were classified as sitting workers (≥ 6 h/shift). Mean sitting time was 7.22 ± 1.44 h/shift among sitting workers versus 2.09 ± 1.59 h/shift among standing workers (U = 46,380; p < 0.001; r = 0.771). The overall prevalence of occupational sedentary behaviour was 78.1% at the ≥ 4 h/shift threshold, affecting all sitting workers (100%) versus 22.2% of standing workers (p < 0.001; V = 0.846). Sector-specific prevalence (≥ 6 h/shift) was 94.4% in services, 62.5% in food processing and 50% in construction. No compensatory physical activity was observed (MVPA between sitting and standing workers: U = 15,750; p < 0.001; r = 0.254). Ridge logistic regression identified higher education (aOR = 1.694 [1.410–2.000]), married status (aOR = 5.294 [3.485–8.599]) and the service sector (aOR = 9.724 [5.148–20.663]) as risk factors, and high family burden (aOR = 0.169 [0.125–0.224]), the construction sector (aOR = 0.038 [0.024–0.056]) and shift schedule (aOR = 0.063 [0.032–0.123]) as protective factors.
Conclusions: Occupational sedentary behaviour is highly prevalent in Abidjan's industry, with a double sedentary burden in the service sector. Sector-specific interventions accounting for family structure and work schedules are needed.