TITLE:
Evaluation of Physical and Mental Quality of Life of Motorcycle Taxi Drivers
AUTHORS:
Arlete de Carvalho Félix, Alexandra Maria Almeida Carvalho Pinto, Albert Schiaveto de Souza
KEYWORDS:
Disease, Motorcycle Taxi Drivers, Quality of Life
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.4 No.3,
March
24,
2016
ABSTRACT: Motorcycle taxi drivers are workers who use
motorcycle to carry passengers. Objectives: to identify the sociodemographic
profile and evaluate the physical and mental quality of life of motorcycle taxi
drivers. Methods: Cross-sectional study, held in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul-Brazil,
from May to July 2015 with 301 participants. To calculate the sample size, the
margin of error was 5%, confidence level, 95%; and the drivers were randomly
selected. For data collection, two instruments were used: the demographic
questionnaire and the SF-36 Health Status Questionnaire. Results: Among the 301
respondents, predominance fell on males (98.7%, n = 297), married or in a
stable relationship (63.5%, n = 191), with completed high school education
(44.9%, n = 135). More than half felt discomfort while working (52.8%, n =
159). Of those with diagnosed disease the predominant type of disease was
hypertension (55.5%, n = 30). When male and female were compared, men had lower
average in the mental health aspect (63.39 ± 13.22); and women, in the
emotional aspect (41.66 ± 31.91). There were significant differences in the
scores of physical functioning (p = 0.002), bodily pain (0.043) and general
health perceptions (p = 0.003) of the drivers reporting disease, compared to
those who did not reported it. Conclusion: The studied motorcycle taxi drivers
are mostly male, married, with high school education. Regarding quality of
life, men had lower perception in the general mental health aspect whereas women
showed lower perception in the emotional aspects. The individuals with disease
had lower perceived quality of life in the physical functioning, bodily pain
and general health concepts.