Risk taking behaviors in relation to Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder in Iranian male workers: a latent class analysis

BACKGROUND: Risk taking behaviors are a serious risk to the health and safety of workers. The aims of this study were to identify the subgroups of workers on the basis of risk taking behaviors and assess the independent role of ADHD on the membership of participants in each latent class. METHODS: This cross sectional study was performed on 2434 workers. The sample was selected through random cluster sampling from Kaveh Industrial City. All workers completed five sets of checklists and questionnaires. Data analysis was performed using chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, and latent class analysis. RESULTS: Four latent classes were identified; namely, 1) very low risk (65.6%), 2) low risk (27.8%), moderate risk (4.1%) and, high risk (2.5%). After adjusting for other studied covariates, having ADHD significantly increased the odds of membership in moderate risk class (OR=3.42, 95% CI: 2.21 −5.29) and high risk class (OR=3.10, 95% CI: 1.80 −5.34) compared to very low risk class. Also, having anxiety increased the odds of membership in latent class 2 (OR=1.28, 95% CI: 1.02–1.62), 3(OR=2.15, 95% CI: 1.51–3.10) and 4 (OR=2.06, 95% CI: 1.32–3.22) in comparison to class 1. Among all participants, 187 (7.7%) had ADHD and among studied variables, ADHD has the strongest role in the membership of subjects in different classes. CONCLUSION: Results from the present study indicate that 6.6% of the workers fell under moderate or high risk class. Focusing on the treatment of ADHD with considering other comorbid factors such as anxiety may be helpful in designing and executing effective programs to reduce risk taking behaviors among workers.