Health assessment of taxi drivers in the city of Tshwane.
BACKGROUND
Taxi driving seems to be a strenuous occupation. There was evidence-based paucity of literature on health assessment of taxi drivers. Meanwhile taxi drivers of South Africa were burdened by communicable and non-communicable diseases including high-level exposure to injuries and criminal attacks. Health assessment of this cohort group enables mitigation to engage in appropriation of relevant interventions related to the occupational needs of taxi drivers.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to conduct health assessment of taxi drivers in the city of Tshwane to identify health risk factors.


METHODS
An exploratory, descriptive and quantitative survey was conducted and anthropometric measurements of blood pressure, body mass index and waist circumference were monitored and recorded on a convenience sample of 69 taxi drivers in Tshwane Municipality. Consent was sought from individual taxi drivers who participated in the study, while taxi rank queue marshals assisted with smooth running of the process. Data were gathered using a questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using statistical STATA II with the assistance of a statistician.


RESULTS
The study found that taxi drivers were obese, hypertensive, had type II diabetes-related risk factors, including unhealthy life style practices. The results indicate that the general health of taxi drivers impacts their occupation.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings implicate that the health status of taxi operators in Tshwane was a serious concern and urgent concerted effort is needed to engage in lifestyle modification of taxi drivers. The need for health promotion and formalised occupational health services was recommended.
Adelaide Tambo School of Nursing, Tshwane University of Technology,. mathikhims@tut.ac.za.
Tendani S
TS
Ramukumba
Makwena S
MS
Mathikhi
D000328:Adult; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055105:Waist Circumference