Taxi drivers and modifiable health behaviors: Is stress associated?

Distraction and related risk factors among professional and non-professional drivers

Background

Distraction is one of the main driver's behavioral factors that reduces the performance of the drivers and might increase the accident risk. Distraction while driving holds significant importance, especially among professional drivers, and failure to address this matter may result in adverse implications for traffic safety. The present study was conducted to investigate distraction and related risk factors between two groups of private vehicle drivers and taxi drivers.

Methods

This analytical cross-sectional study was carried out in Tabriz, Iran in 2022. The total sample size in this study was 701 taxi drivers, professional drivers, and private vehicle drivers. The independent samples t-test was used to determine the statistically significant difference between groups and its sub-scales between the two studied groups. Moreover, the multivariable linear regression analysis was used to determine the predictors that affect distraction score. The test's level of significance was considered at 0.05.

Results

The mean distraction score among taxi drivers surpasses that of private vehicle drivers (2.82 vs. 2.32, p-value<0.05). The drivers with negative scores, over the past year, among private vehicle drivers and taxi drivers were 2.5 % and 5.2 %, respectively (p-value<0.05). A group of taxi drivers exhibits a higher level of distraction while driving and the mean distraction score for private vehicle drivers is lower than that of taxi drivers (β = -0.11, CI 95 %: 0.17, -0.05). Also, a history of damage or injury accidents has a significant impact on distraction while driving (β = 0.12, CI 95 %; 0.06-0.17).

Conclusions

The results indicate that distraction while driving is high amongst taxi drivers rather than private vehicle drivers. To have effective driver safety promotion interventions, it is recommended to consider driver distraction based on professional and non-professional drivers.

Assessment of Health Behaviours and Satisfaction with Life among Catholic Priests in Poland

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the health behaviours of diocesan priests in Poland and their level of life satisfaction. The specific goal was to determine the factors that most affect their quality of health (internal health control, the influence of others or coincidence) and life satisfaction (positive mental attitude, preventive behaviour, eating habits, health practices). The study involved 250 diocesan priests from the Podkarpackie region who took part in the research by completing an anonymous questionnaire. The questions were mainly based on tools for assessing health behaviours, namely the HBI-health behaviour inventory, MHLC-multidimensional scale of health locus of control and the SWLS-satisfaction with life scale. The general index of health behaviour of clergymen on the HBI scale was 77.12 ± 16.20 (Me = 78), showing a moderate level on the sten scale. On the MHLC health locus of control scale, the respondents believed that their health depended most on internal control: 25.27 ± 5.10 and the influence of others: 23.13 ± 5.57, are of utmost importance for their health. To a lesser extent they believed that health was dependent on chance: 17.60 ± 5.95. The SWLS satisfaction with life index was 22.51 ± 5.43 (Me = 23), also within the moderate range of the sten scale. The factors most closely related to the assessment of life satisfaction were positive mental attitudes and the overall HBI index. The health behaviours of priests measured by the HBI scale and the level of satisfaction with the life of SWLS clergymen are within a moderate range. On the MHLC scale, priests likewise believe that their health depends on themselves and then on others. They are clearly less likely to indicate accidental causes.

Occupational exposure of vehicular emissions and cardiorespiratory risk among urban metropolitan bus drivers: A cross-sectional comparative study

BACKGROUND

Vehicular emissions on long-term exposure predispose metropolitan bus drivers to cardiorespiratory ailments.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the cardiorespiratory risk of urban metropolitan bus drivers related to vehicular emission exposure.

METHODS

Bus drivers (with service >5 years, n = 254) and their administrative controls (primarily engaged in indoor white collared jobs, n = 73) were recruited. Demographic, occupational and clinical details were collected through pre-validated standardized format. Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) and lipid profile were carried out with standard protocol. Risk for cardiovascular events for preceding 10-years was estimated with WHO/ISH risk prediction chart and QRISK3 score. Exposure assessments for particulate matter (PM) were performed for both groups while duty hours.

RESULTS

Exposure of drivers to PM2.5 six times and PM10 five times higher in comparison to administration staff (PM2.5- 970.9 v/s 145.0μg/m3 TWA and PM10- 1111.7 v/s 233.8μg/m3 TWA). Bus drivers exhibited significantly higher prevalence of respiratory symptoms (dyspnea-25% v/s 6.8% and cough-20.1% v/s 9.8%) and compromised PFT (obstructive-21% v/s 5.7% and restrictive-4.2% v/s 2.9%) in comparison to controls. Multivariate regression statistics reveal a significant decline for FEV1/FVC and FEV25-75 % among bus drivers compared to controls, controlling the influence of physiological and environmental factors. The difference between predicted cardiac age and their respective chronological age was twice higher (8.3 v/s 4.3 years) among drivers compared to their administration staff.

CONCLUSION

Bus drivers were exposed to high levels of outdoor air pollutants. Further, the drivers exhibited higher risk for ischemic attack and obstructive airway diseases as compared to administration staff.

Food insecurity among New York City taxi and for-hire vehicle drivers

BACKGROUND

New York City's (NYC's) taxi/for-hire vehicle (FHV) drivers have occupational and demographic characteristics associated with food insecurity (low income, comorbidities, minority race/ethnicity).

OBJECTIVE

To analyze food insecurity rates in a sample of NYC drivers and to identify associated factors.

METHODS

At health fairs, we recruited a cross-sectional sample of licensed taxi/FHV drivers willing to receive study text messages. Most lacked a primary care provider. Food insecurity prevalence and associations with health and economic indicators were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of 503 participants who completed a 2-item food security screener, 39.2% were food insecure. Significantly fewer food insecure than food secure drivers reported a doctor visit within the past year (48% vs 25%; P < .001). Food insecure drivers had greater weekly traffic ticket expenditure ($34 vs $24; P = .02) and were more likely to report insufficient household income (61% vs 39%; P < .001) and history of depression (14% vs 7%; P = .02), to have elevated (>200) measured total cholesterol (50% vs 37%; P = .02), and to have Perceived Stress Scale scores indicating greater stress than food secure drivers (14 vs 11; P = .002). In a binary logistic regression analysis, drivers who reported that their total household income was enough to meet their basic needs had significantly lower odds of being food insecure (0.695 odds ratio; P = .016).

CONCLUSION

Food insecurity was high in this group of taxi/FHV drivers. Food insecurity interventions are needed and could be occupationally based, with worksite screening and resource navigation. Policies should address improving wages and healthcare access.

Co-Design of an eHealth Intervention to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Male Taxi Drivers: ManGuard

Taxi driving, a male-dominated occupation, is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The increased risk is linked to a high prevalence of modifiable CVD risk factors including overweight/obesity, poor nutrition, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and physical inactivity. Behaviour change interventions may prove advantageous, yet little research has been conducted to reduce CVD risk in this population. The purpose of this study was to co-design an eHealth intervention, 'ManGuard', to reduce CVD risk in male taxi drivers. The IDEAS framework was utilised to guide the development of the eHealth intervention, with the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) incorporated throughout to ensure the intervention was underpinned by behaviour change theory. Development and refinement of ManGuard was guided by current literature, input from a multidisciplinary team, an online survey, a systematic review and meta-analysis, and focus groups (n = 3) with male taxi drivers. Physical inactivity was identified as the prime behavior to change in order to reduce CVD risk in male taxi drivers. Male taxi drivers indicated a preference for an eHealth intervention to be delivered using smartphone technology, with a simple design, providing concise, straightforward, and relatable content, and with the ability to track and monitor progress.

Opinions of taxi drivers regarding occupational risks and prevention strategies: A cross- sectional study in Turkey

BACKGROUND: Taxi drivers are prone to musculoskeletal problems and can suffer from cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and psychosocial problems. For occupational health and safety it is crucial to know the risk factors and initiatives to be taken for protection. OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to evaluate the opinions of taxi drivers regarding occupational risks and prevention strategies. METHODS: This was a descriptive and cross-sectional study including 524 taxi drivers. A questionnaire was developed to determine the opinions of taxi drivers regarding occupational risks and intervention strategies. For the analysis of data, Mann-Whitney U (Z-table value), descriptive statistics (number, percentage) and Chi-square (χ2) test between dependent and independent variables were used. RESULTS: Among the taxi drivers, the occupation was reported to be risky for musculoskeletal system disorders by 67%, for cardiovascular diseases by 68.3%, for respiratory diseases by 46.9% and for psychosocial problems by 63.3%. When the opinions of taxi drivers regarding prevention from these risks were examined, 30.2% of them stated prevention from musculoskeletal system disorders, 34.0% from cardiovascular diseases, 31.3% from respiratory diseases and 40.1% from psychosocial problems. It was a prominent finding to see a decrease in the number of drivers who stated to show prevention behavior towards these risks compared to their states of recognizing them. CONCLUSİON: Drivers were insufficient both in recognizing health risks of their jobs and implementing intervention strategies. Education concerning health risks of their jobs and prevention from these risks is required.