Comparison of Quality of Life and Work Ability of Taxi and Motorcycle Taxi Drivers: Evidence from Brazil

Abstract

Urban transport drivers, specifically taxi and motorcycle taxi drivers, are exposed to particular environmental, societal, and health situations related to their occupation. To compare work capacity and quality of life of taxi and motorcycle taxi drivers, and correlate quality of life and work ability, a cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 232 motorcycle taxi drivers and 60 male taxi drivers in urban cities of Brazil. Three instruments were used for evaluation: a questionnaire on sociodemographic and occupational issues, the Work Capacity Index (WCI), and the WHOQOL-bref (World Health Organization Quality of Life–Bref). Taxi drivers presented better evaluation scores in the physical and psychological domains and general quality of life (QOL) (p < 0.01), and better self-perceived work ability (lower physical and mental demands, fewer diagnosed diseases, less incapacity for professional practice, p < 0.001). In addition, there was a positive relationship between QOL and WCI (p = 0.001). Motorcycle taxi drivers had worse self-perceived QOL and of work ability, and there was a positive correlation between QOL and work ability.

Better Work Ability Is Associated With Lower Levels of Both Occupational Stress and Occupational Physical Activity in Professional Drivers

“…Finally, a randomized controlled trial of bus drivers reported that work ability and vitality decreased significantly in both groups as the high season progressed and work-related fatigue and psychosomatic health complaints increased 32 . As compared with motorcycle taxi drivers, taxi drivers have better self-perception of their WA and both subgroups show a positive relationship between quality of life and WAI 16 . However, most evidence comes from cross-sectional studies, precluding any causal relationship to be established on these associations.…”

“…32 As compared with motorcycle taxi drivers, taxi drivers have better self-perception of their WA and both subgroups show a positive relationship between quality of life and WAI. 16 However, most evidence comes from cross-sectional studies, precluding any causal relationship to be established on these associations. We suggest longitudinal studies on this topic, focusing on WA, work-related quality of life, and general health.…”

“…Globally, studies used WAI 12,13 and focused on the association of WAI and health-related quality of life 14 . Studies in Brazil were restricted to a professional category, studying the association between occupational stress and work ability, in bus transport workers, not necessarily drivers, 15 or investigating the association with the quality of life in taxi drivers and motorcycle taxi drivers 8,16 . In addition, only three WA studies were conducted in this population, and because most studies used a cross-sectional design and a variety of instruments for assessing WA, it is difficult to understand the association between each of those factors and WA across categories of professional drivers.…”

Condiciones laborales, salud y calidad de vida en conductores

“…En cuanto a un lugar para descansar durante un día de trabajo, la mayor parte de ellos, no tenían un lugar para tener un período de ocio y descanso. También se evidencia que los conductores de motocicletas eran más jóvenes, trabajaban menos horas por día y experimentaban más accidentes laborales que los conductores de taxis 37 .…”

“…Respecto a la calidad de vida, la evidencia señala, que la calidad de vida, se relaciona con distintos ámbitos de una persona, como lo es el trabajo, salud, vida familiar, evaluándose como un conjunto de aspectos, que pueden evaluarse de forma objetiva o subjetiva que interactúan entre sí con el medio, y no como una característica meramente idiosincrática de cada persona. Los artículos abordados señalan que la calidad de vida en estos trabajadores se ve afectada por distintos aspectos, como trabajo, condiciones laborales, salud, situación económica, las cuales interfieren de forma negativa en la vida de una persona 36,37,38 .…”