Anthropology and occupational health problems of auto-rickshaw drivers

Abstract

Driving an auto-rickshaw has become one of the most common and easiest ways of earning a living, particularly for educated unemployed youths of Manipur. In the present study an attempt was made to understand the health status of auto-rickshaw drivers plying in different locations of Imphal, Manipur. A cross-sectional study was conducted among the auto-rickshaw drivers of Imphal, Manipur. A total of 159 auto-rickshaw drivers (aged 20–65 years) were screened to understand their health status and potential risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The data were analysed using different statistical measures including mean, t-test, the test of significance, using MS Excel and SPSS software. Odds ratio (OR) was also calculated to measure the association (if any) using the 2×2 contingency table at 95% confidentiality interval. The majority of the drivers were educated and married. Vision impairment, body and neck pain are the commonest morbidity conditions generally faced by the drivers. Individuals who have been driving for more than ten years are at a significantly greater risk for diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and anaemia compared to those who have been driving up to five years. Persons who have worked for a long time in the same occupation as an auto-rickshaw driver are more prone to have mild to moderate forms of anaemic conditions. Moreover, they are also at greater risk for adverse health conditions such as obesity, hypertension, and high blood glucose level.