ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In Mexico, neither the pathological profile nor the health/illness conditions of the cycle rickshaw taxi drivers have been studied. Therefore, the factors that influence the physical and mental health of this labor group are unknown. OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of working and health/illness conditions that influence the stress level of the cycle rickshaw taxi drivers from Mexico City's Historic Downtown. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 90% (n = 110) of the workers participated in a cross-sectional study of a correlational type, in which a survey on working conditions and health was applied. Stress was analyzed using the Aro Symptomatic Scale, and vital signs, somatometry and a blood test were measured to analyze lipids and glucose. RESULTS: 16% of drivers were assessed with a high level of stress. No association was found with conditions related to physical and behavioral health, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, overweight, smoking and alcohol consumption. Therefore, the perception of violence risk (odds ratio [OR]: 1.19), the risks associated with the vehicle (OR: 1.18), having had a work accident (OR:38.2) and musculoskeletal complaints mainly, in the elbow (OR: 1.20) and wrists (OR: 1.11) are the factors that most influence the level of stress. CONCLUSIONS: The main cause of stress in drivers is related to the risks of their activity and musculoskeletal conditions, so interventions and action protocols are suggested to help preventing and face the risks of workers.
INTRODUCCIÓN: En México no han sido estudiados el perfil patológico ni las condiciones de salud/enfermedad de los conductores de bicitaxis, por lo que se desconocen los factores que influyen en la salud física y mental de este colectivo laboral. OBJETIVO: Describir las características del trabajo y las condiciones de salud/enfermedad que influyen en el nivel de estrés de los conductores de bicitaxis del Centro Histórico de la Ciudad de México. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: El 90% (n = 110) de los trabajadores participaron en un estudio transversal correlacional, en el que se aplicó una encuesta sobre las condiciones de trabajo y salud. Se analizó el estrés mediante la Escala Sintomática de Aro y se tomaron signos vitales, somatometría y muestras de sangre para analizar lípidos y glucosa. RESULTADOS: El 16% de los conductores presentaron un nivel de estrés elevado. No se encontró asociación con padecimientos afines a la salud física y conductual, como hipertensión, dislipidemias, diabetes, sobrepeso, tabaquismo o consumo de alcohol. Por lo tanto, la percepción de riesgo de agresiones en la vía pública (razón de momios [RM]: 1.19), los riesgos asociados al vehículo (RM: 1.18), haber tenido un accidente laboral (RM: 38.2) y las dolencias musculoesqueléticas -principalmente en el codo (RM: 1.20) y las muñecas (RM: 1.11)- son los factores que más influyen en el nivel de estrés. CONCLUSIONES: La principal causa de estrés en los conductores se relaciona con los riesgos de su actividad y con los padecimientos musculoesqueléticos, por lo que se sugieren intervenciones y protocolos de acción que ayuden a prevenir y a enfrentar los riesgos de estos trabajadores.
Subject(s)
Automobile Driving , Occupational Stress , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Mexico/epidemiology , Occupational Stress/epidemiology , Risk FactorsSubject(s)
Bicycling , Health Status , Occupational Health , Transportation , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Mexico , Urban HealthSubject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Transportation , Bicycling , Health Status , Occupational Health , Urban Health , MexicoABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the type of injuries and the characteristics and geographical distribution of road accidents where motorcycles were involved in Mexico. METHODS: A descriptive analysis of second-hand information sources was conducted, including the number of accidents (N = 41,881), total number of injured people (N = 13,916) and medical expenses (N = 9,111) associated to motorcycle accidents during 2014. RESULTS: Motorcycles represent 13.14% of the total number of deaths in road accidents in Mexico, and the Southeast region of Mexico registers the highest proportion of fatal injuries. Of the total number of motorcycles, 1.84% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.83-1.86) were involved in a collision. 3.64 (95% CI: 3.39-3.89) people died and 105.5 (95% CI: 104.1-106.8) were injured in every 10,000. Out of the total number of injuries, 76.6% were male and 53.74% were women. 55.1% of deaths were caused by intracranial trauma. Only 16.6% wore a helmet at the time of the accident, and those not wearing a helmet had a 2.11 (odds ratio [OR]: 2.1; CI 95%: 1.8-2.4) higher chance of head injury. Regarding the severity of the crash, those occurred in suburban areas (OR: 6.58; CI 95%: 5.69-7.60), in unpaved surfaces (OR: 4.13; CI 95%: 3.04-5.61), after low alcohol consumption (OR: 1.89; CI 95%: 1.46-2.44), at night (OR: 2.24; CI 95%: 1.95-2.57) and on weekends (OR: 1.65; CI 95%: 1.44-1.90), had the highest chance of turning into a fatal accident. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of the progress made in terms of road safety, motorcycle accidents are still increasing, and the use of a helmet is still proportionally low. More information on these groups and risk factors needs to be available so people are better informed. Also, regulations need improvements regarding the use of security equipment like helmets in order to reduce injuries and fatal accidents.
