An assessment of taxi drivers' knowledge level of occupational risks and prevention methods

This research which was conducted to assess taxi drivers' knowledge level about occupational risks and prevention methods was designed in a descriptive manner. A total of 9 taxi ranks involving 40 taxis and over were included in the study. Study sample consisted of 524 taxi drivers who were working in the 497 taxis registered with these 9 taxi ranks and accepted to participate in the survey. To collect data, a questionnaire was developed by the researcher through benefiting from the literature to determine taxi drivers' level of knowledge and prevention methods related to occupational risks. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Fisher Exact test (p<0,05). In the result of the research, it has been seen that the taxi drivers' level of awareness of associating their work with diseases is between 80.0% and 45.0%. When assessed separately for each system (musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory or psychosocial), it has been determined that the proportion of drivers who thought their work was risky in occupational terms fell by half with regard to taking actions for prevention. It has been identified that the drivers' knowledge of prevention was not sufficient. In the light of these findings, the present study recommended conducting training programs to address the knowledge deficit of the taxi drivers in prevention. It is recommended that similar further studies be conducted based on different socio-economic and cultural features, that training programs be implemented to develop preventive behaviors, and research into behavior changes be undertaken