Work-related stress in cycle rickshaw taxi drivers from Mexico City's Historic Downtown

In Mexico, neither the pathological profile nor the health/illness conditions of the cycle rickshaw taxi drivers have been studied. Therefore, the factors that influence the physical and mental health of this labor group are unknown.

To describe the characteristics of working and health/illness conditions that influence the stress level of the cycle rickshaw taxi drivers from Mexico City’s Historic Downtown.

90% (n = 110) of the workers participated in a cross-sectional study of a correlational type, in which a survey on working conditions and health was applied. Stress was analyzed using the Aro Symptomatic Scale, and vital signs, somatometry and a blood test were measured to analyze lipids and glucose.

16% of drivers were assessed with a high level of stress. No association was found with conditions related to physical and behavioral health, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, overweight, smoking and alcohol consumption. Therefore, the perception of violence risk (odds ratio [OR]: 1.19), the risks associated with the vehicle (OR: 1.18), having had a work accident (OR:38.2) and musculoskeletal complaints —mainly, in the elbow (OR: 1.20) and wrists (OR: 1.11)— are the factors that most influence the level of stress.

The main cause of stress in drivers is related to the risks of their activity and musculoskeletal conditions, so interventions and action protocols are suggested to help preventing and face the risks of workers.