Refractive errors, road traffic accidents and long-term spectacle compliance amongst commercial taxi drivers in a major North-East Indian city

Purpose: To assess the prevalence of refractive error (RE) and its association with road traffic accidents (RTAs) and the subsequent long?term spectacle compliance and adherence to suggested appropriate strategies In Shillong, India. Methods: This prospective study was conducted between July and October 2019 among commercial taxi drivers (CTDs), with follow?up interviews conducted with a subset of respondents to assess long?term spectacle compliance after a year. Gross ophthalmologic examination was performed, including visual acuity and refraction. Descriptive statistics and Chi?square tests were conducted to assess the association between the type of REs, spectacle compliance, and selected sociodemographic and clinical variables. Multiple logistic regression was performed for analysis of the association between RTAs and sociodemographic, clinical, and work characteristics variables. Results: A total of 382 (95.5%) CTDs completed interviews and gross eye examination. The prevalence of any RE in the worst eye was 28.8% (95% CI: 24.3–33.6). Presbyopia with or without distance vision was the commonest type of RE with 21.7% (95% CI: 17.7%–26.2). Among those who were prescribed spectacles, 70.5% needed near correction. Drivers with RE were nearly two times (OR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.4–5.1) more likely to be involved in RTAs compared to those without any RE. Long?term spectacle compliance was at 40.9%. The predominant barrier reported for spectacle compliance was “can manage well without spectacles.” Conclusion: This survey has demonstrated a significant relationship between poor vision and occurrence of RTAs. There is an urgent need for tailor?made targeted interventions to address the eye health needs of CTDs in India

Accessing Driving Posture Among Elderly Taxi Drivers In Malaysian Using RULA And QEC Approach

@#An elderly community may continue to serve their services to other jobs after retirement particularly in light works in accordance to their ability which can support the household income in such a challenging world. One of the professions that they could alternatively get involved is by being a taxi driver. Hence, the characteristic of elderly taxi driver is crucial to understand, primarily due to the ageing process which makes them more vulnerable towards injury. Sitting which is the working posture of a taxi driver should be properly done to avoid injuries among the elders. Improper seating posture is potentially unhealthy and considered as one of the major contributing factors for several musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) such as pain in the lower back part and shoulder. Due to increased exposures to seating posture inside the car, the proper sitting adjustment has become an important issue that demands adequate ergonomic interventions. A cross-sectional study was conducted with elderly taxi drivers using a self-administered questionnaire. It included questions on social-demographic data, Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and Quick Exposure Check (QEC). Purposive method sampling is used according to these inclusive criteria; age 60 years old and above, self-driving taxi more than 1 year, no disabilities and registered with Ministry of Transport (MOT). Total of 443 respondents participated in the study. SPSS software version 20.0 to analyze data and RULA and QEC form was used. More than half elderly taxi driver used budget car (57.6%) type of taxi and most of elderly taxi drivers were smoking (66.0%). More than half respondents (70.0%) having felt back pain for the past 12 months and 75.4% feeling back pain the last seven days. 94.8% elderly taxi drivers complained of feeling low back pain. QEC showed higher score - neck (20.8%) and back body part (6.5%) and other factors at high score - driving (86.4%) and vibration (45.6%). RULA analysis body score at value score 7 (23.5%)- required immediate improvement and value score 5/6 (61.9%) - required investigation and needed to improve soon. Inappropriate seating posture among elderly taxi drivers may cause discomfort towards developing MSD. The implication of low awareness on ergonomics education could reflect quality lifestyle and health among elderly taxi drivers in Malaysia.

Investigation on physical activity and serum lipid level among male taxi drivers of a city in China / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To investigate the relationship between physical activity (PA) and serum lipid level among male taxi drivers of a city in china.@*Methods@#A total of 360 male taxi drivers were collected by two-stage random sampling method from september to november in 2016, the questionnaires were used to survey the status of PA and serum total cholesterol (TC) , triglyceride (TG) , low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) , high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) , according to the recommended standards of the intenational consensus group on physical activity measurement (ICGPAM) , the participants were divided into 3 groups: high PA level group, moderate PA level group and low PA level group.@*Results@#The percentages of individuals with high, moderate and low PA levels were 60.7%, 22.1%and 17.2% respectively, the levels of TG, LDL-C had a declining trend along with the PA level increase, and the level of HDL-C had a increasing trend, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared with low PA group, the incidence of dyslipidemia in high PA group showed a declining trend in the indexes of TG, LDL-C, any kind of dyslipidemia and any two kinds of dyslipidemia, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). After controlling the potentially confounding effects, compared with low PA group, the risk of dyslipidemia were reduced in the indexes of TG (OR=0.68, 95%CI: 0.55-0.84) , LDL-C (OR=0.67, 95%CI: 0.54-0.83) , HDL-C (OR=0.70, 95%CI: 0.56-0.88) , any kind of dyslipidemia (OR=0.65, 95%CI: 0.54-0.85) , any two kinds of dyslipidemia (OR=0.68, 95%CI: 0.55-0.86) in high PA group, there were significant differences between of them (all P<0.05) .@*Conclusion@#The PA level of male taxi drivers in this city is relatively low, and high PA can reduce the risk of dyslipidemia.

The Effects of Customer Contact Service to the Mental Health among Korean Taxi Drivers / 한국직업건강간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between customer contact service and mental health among Korean taxi drivers. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis of data collected from the 2015 Korean Working Conditions Survey. The sample included 496 taxi drivers in South Korea. The effect of customer contact service on mental health was analyzed using logistic regression analysis. The independent variables were general characteristics, working conditions, and hazardous factors in interactive service. RESULTS: The prevalence of poor mental health was 56.3%. Taxi drivers experienced emotional involvement (17.2%), hiding feeling (32.0%), and contact with angry clients (18.3%) in their job. During the first month of their work, 33.7% experienced verbal abuse and 12.3% threats/humiliating behaviors. In bivariate analysis, verbal abuse, threats/humiliating behaviors, and physical violence were associated with mental health of taxi drivers. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed 'emotional involvement' and 'contact with angry clients' were significant predictors of mental health. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study may be useful in developing intervention programs to improve the mental health of taxi drivers in South Korea.

Conhecimento de mototaxistas quanto aos riscos ocupacionais / Knowledge of occupational hazards among motorcycle taxi drivers / El conocimiento de los riesgos laborales entre los motociclistas profesionales

Este estudo teve como objetivo geral avaliar o conhecimento dos mototaxistas de Jequié (BA) quanto aos riscos ocupacionais; foram objetivos específicos: identificar os principais riscos ocupacionais desses mototaxistas e descrever as medidas de prevenção por eles adotadas. Trata-se de um estudo de cunho predominantemente qualitativo, exploratório e descritivo, desenvolvido em pontos de mototáxi de Jequié, com uma amostra composta por 25 mototaxistas cadastrados na Associação de Mototaxistas de Jequié (Amoje). A coleta de dados realizou-se por meio de entrevista aberta semidirigida. Os resultados permitiram constatar que os mototaxistas conceituam os riscos ocupacionais como perigos constantes de seu trabalho. Os riscos conhecidos por eles são: físicos, como a radiação UV e altas temperaturas; ergonômicos; de segurança, destacando-se a falta de policiamento, trânsito desorganizado e imprudência; e sociais, uso de álcool e drogas, além do preconceito. As medidas de prevenção descritas foram: uso de protetor solar, capacetes, sapatos adequados, conscientização e cautela no trânsito. Foi possível também propor medidas de controle e prevenção para os riscos ocupacionais não relatados. Concluiu-se que é importante a regularização da profissão e a adoção de medidas intersetoriais para a prevenção e controle dos riscos ocupacionais cujas estratégias poderão reduzir os acidentes de trabalho e o preconceito com a categoria.

This study aimed to understand the risk perception of motorcycle taxi drivers of Jequié, Bahia, Brazil, regarding occupational hazards. The specific objectives of this study were: to identify major occupational hazards for motorcycle taxi drivers, and to describe the preventive measures adopted by them. This is a predominantly qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study, developed in motorcycle taxi stands in Jequié .The sample consisted of 25 motorcycle taxi drivers registered in the Association of Jequié Motorcycle Taxi Drivers (Amoje). Data collection was performed through open semi-directed interviews. The results allowed the verification that the motorcycle taxi drivers conceptualize occupational hazards as constant dangers of their work. The risks recognized by the workers are: physical such as UV radiation, high temperatures; ergonomic; of safety, policing lack, disorganized traffic and imprudence; and social, use of alcohol and drugs, besides the prejudice against them. The prevention measures described were: use of suntan lotion, helmets and proper shoes, understanding and being cautious in traffic. It was also possible to propose control and prevention measures for the occupational risks, which were not reported. It was concluded that it is important the regularization of the profession and the adoption of intersectoral measures for the prevention and control of occupational hazards whose strategies can reduce work-related accidents and prejudice towards motorcycle taxi drivers.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo general comprender la percepción de los motociclistas, de la ciudad de Jequié - BA, sobre los riesgos profesionales. Los objetivos específicos fueron: identificar los principales riesgos laborales de estos motociclistas y describir las medidas preventivas adoptadas por ellos. Se trata de un estudio de enfoque cualitativo, exploratorio y descriptivo, desarrollado en las paradas de motocicletas-taxi en la ciudad de Jequié. La muestra estuvo compuesta de 25 motociclistas profesionales, registrados en la Asociación de motociclistas-taxi de Jequié (Amoje). La recolección de datos se llevó a cabo a través de entrevista abierta semi-dirigida. Los resultados mostraron que los motociclistas conceptuan los riesgos laborales como un peligro constante en su trabajo. Los riesgos apuntados por ellos son: físicos, la radiación UV y las altas temperaqturas, problemas ergonómicos, la seguridad, destacando la falta de vigilancia policial, el tráfico desorganizado y la imprudencia; y riesgos sociales: el uso del alcohol y las drogas, además de los prejuicios. Las medidas de prevención descritas fueron: el uso de protector solar, cascos, calzado adecuado, la conciencia y prudencia en el tráfico. También fue posible proponer medidas de control y prevención para los riesgos profesionales no declarados. Se concluye que es importante la regularización de la profesión y la adopción de medidas intersectoriales para la prevención y control de riesgos laborales, cuyas estrategias puedan reducir los accidentes del trabajo y los prejuicios con la categoría.

Study on the knowledge, attitude and HIV transmission behaviors among motorbike taxi drivers in Cau Giay district in 2007

Background: Cau Giay is a district within Hanoi city, where diverse people live. Motorbike Taxi Drivers (MTDs) are at high-risk of HIV infection. Objectives: To study the knowledge, attitude and HIV transmission behaviors among MTDs in Cau Giay district. Subjects and method: A cross-sectional study was carried out between March and October 2007 on 250 MTDs who worked at Cau Giay district. Results and conclusions:30.4% MTDs perceived that HIV could not be transmitted to others via sharing nail clippers or scissors with HIV infected people, 42% believed HIV can transmit via mosquito bites, 72% thought the rate of the HIV transmission from mother to child was 100%, 40% were aware that HIV could be recognized from people's appearance. Only 26.5% of the respondents were aware of the 3 main effects of condom use (including prevention from pregnancy, STls and HIV). 83.2% considered HIV/AIDS infected people as social evils such as injecting drug users, Commercial Sex Workers (CSWs). 23.2% MTDs showed are agreeable when being asked to look for CSWs by customers. 12% MTDs agreed to seek out drugs when the customers requested. The survey also reveals that there were 49.2% of MTDs having sex with CSWs within the last 6 months, of which, 58.2% did not regularly practice safe sex with CSWs. Some risk factors included low level of education, time of being MTD >3 years, low income (less than 2,000,000 VND a month), less frequent appraisal books and newspapers. MTDs that were ready to look for CSWs and drugs via customers\u2019 requests also had high risk of using drugs as well as unsafe sex.

Human Factors Involved in Traffic Accidents and Unsafe Driving Behaviors of Taxi Drivers / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the driving habits of taxi drivers, in order to examine the characteristics of human factors causing traffic accidents and unsafe driving behavior and to determine any relevancy among them. METHOD: Taxi drivers (N=335) answered a questionnaire investigating various measures of human factors, unsafe driving behaviors, and number of traffic accident experiences in the previous year. In factor analysis, the characteristics of human factors were classified into 5 common factors: job, mental health, age, health habit and sleep factor. A contextual mediated model was proposed to distinguish the distal (5 common factors) and proximal (unsafe driving behaviors) factors in predicting traffic accident involvement by hierarchical multiple regression. RESULT: In hierarchical multiple regression, job factor(beta: 0.122), sleep factor (beta: 0.114) and unsafe driving behaviors (beta: 0.018) yielded a direct effect on the rate of traffic accidents. Mental health factor beta: 6.429), job factor (beta: 1.319) and health habit factor(beta: 1.177) yielded a indirect effect on the rate of traffic accidents by unsafe driving behaviors. CONCLUSION: Various human factors co-related by the unique characteristics that exist in the taxi service industry have significant effects on the rate of traffic accidents mediated by unsafe driving behaviors. Therefore a proper countermeasure against these factors should be established in order to effectively reduce the rate of taxi accidents.

A Study on Taxi Drivers' Smoking Behavior, Self-efficacy and Expectation Level of Success in Smoking Cessation

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to find taxi drivers' smoking behavior, self-efficacy and expectation level of success in smoking cessation. It will provide useful information for developing nursing interventions in health promotion programs. METHOD: The subjects of this study were 271 taxi drivers in Seoul and its metropolitan area. Data were collected using a self-reported questionnaire asking smoking history, smoking behaviors, health problem, stages of change for smoking cessation, self-efficacy and the expectation level of success in smoking cessation. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics. Pearson's correlation, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Cronbach's a. RESULTS: Of the taxi drivers, 83.8% were current smokers. Stages of change were as follows: 45.8% were in the precontemplation stage, 26.2% in the contemplation stage, 13.7% in the maintenance stage, 12.2% in the preparation stage and 1.5% in the action stage. In addition. 20.3% of the subjects reported health problems such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes mellitus and respiratory disease. The expectation level of success in smoking cessation was positively related with self-efficacy. There were statistically significant differences in the expectation level of success in smoking cessation according to the number of cigarettes per day and nicotine dependency. In addition. there were statistically significant differences in self-efficacy according to the number of cigarettes per day, duration of smoking (years) and nicotine dependency. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that taxi drivers' health problems and smoking rate were serious. Therefore more systematic health promotion programs for smoking cessation should be developed and executed by health care specialists at individual taxi companies.

Respiratory Symptoms and Ventilatory Function Impairment of Taxi Drivers / 대한산업의학회지

The prevalence of respiratory symptoms and impairments of ventilatory capacity were studied in a group of 74 taxi drivers in Inchon area. As a reference group, 94 office workers of same area, matched with cigarette smoking, were also included in this study. Taxi drivers complained of respiratory symptoms much more than reference group. Those were cough, sputum production, chest tightness and shortness of breath. The ventilatory capacities, FVC (forced vital capacity), FEV(1.0) (forced expiratory volume 1 second), MMF (maximal mid flow) and PFR (peak flow rate), were measured. All measured values of ventilatory capacities of taxi driver were significantly decreased than those of reference group. The rate (56.8%) of ventilatory capacity impairment in taxi drivers was significantly larger than those (14.9%) of reference group, and the most of them were restrictive type impairments. Also, Job variable, prefessional driver or not, was selected as important determinant for ventilatory capacity impairment.

Blood Lead Concentration of Taxi Drivers in Taegu, Korea / 예방의학회지

Taxi drivers are exposed to vehicular exhaust aerosols which are a major source of atmospheric lead pollution in Korea where lead additives are incorporated in petrol. To investigate the blood lead concentration, their correlation factors and influences on taxi drivers, samples were collected from 90 taxi drivers who were living in the Taegu City, during August, 1989. Blood lead concentration was estimated by the atomic absoption spectrophotometer (IL.551) equipped with flameless furnace atomizer (IL.665). The results were analyzed statistically and compared with control group were 26.34 +/- 6.53 microgram/dl and 20.77 +/- 4.80 microgram/dl respectively (p<0.01). No significant correlation was observed between the blood lead concentration of taxi drivers and driver career (r=0.093). There were no difference of statistical significance in the blood lead concentration of smokers and nonsmokers.