Authors

Sandra Verónica Valenzuela Suazo1, Varinia Alejandra Rodríguez Campo1, Patricia del Tránsito Jara Concha1, Elena Belén Sepúlveda Guerra2

Position

1Doctora en Enfermería. Departamento Adulto y Adulto Mayor. Facultad de Enfermería. Universidad de Concepción. Región Biobio (Concepción). Chile2Magíster en Enfermería. Departamento Salud Materno-Infantil. Facultad de Enfermería. Universidad de Concepción. Región Biobio (Concepción). Chile

Contact address

Varinia Alejandra Rodríguez Campo. Departamento Adulto y Adulto mayor. Facultad de Enfermería. Universidad de Concepción. Víctor Lamas, 1135 - Región

Contact email: varirodriguez@udec.cl

Abstract

Objective: to describe the sociodemographic characteristics, work and health conditions of Chilean bus drivers.
Method: a cross-sectional descriptive design. The study population were the bus drivers from the city of Chile. Cluster probability sampling was conducted. A 144-subject sample was required. The questionnaire was applied during working hours, and collected sociodemographic variables, as well as working and health conditions of the drivers. Descriptive analysis was used.
Results: 100% were male, with a mean age (SD) of 41 years (12.09). There was a prevalence of subjects with 9-12 years of education (middle level) (73.6%, n= 106). The majority had indefinite employment contracts (66.7%, n= 96), and 90.3% (n= 130) had a monthly income below 828 dollars (660 thousand Chilean pesos). 51,4% (n= 74) had ≥ 21-year work experience. 20.8% (n= 30) presented hypertension and 81.9% (n= 118) led a sedentary life. 41% (n= 59) admitted smoking every day, and 62.5 (n= 90) drank alcohol. Negative working conditions prevailed: extra working hours (75%, n= 108), high level of noise (72.9%, n= 105), verbal abuse (61.8%, n= 89) and physical assault (53.5%, n= 77). 85.4% (n= 123) of the sample reported that they had never or seldom received training courses in order to improve their work activity (qualification).
Conclusions: the sociodemographic characteristics of drivers, as well as their health and working conditions, place them as high-risk population for certain cardiovascular diseases, as well as for potential traffic accidents.

Keywords:

working conditions; health status; occupational health; transports

Versión en Español

Título:

Características sociodemográficas, condiciones de trabajo y de salud de los conductores de autobuses chilenos