Co-Design of an eHealth Intervention to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Male Taxi Drivers: ManGuard

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
• Digital Health Interventions

Background:

• Taxi driving is a male-dominated occupation with elevated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
• High prevalence of modifiable CVD risk factors like obesity, poor nutrition, smoking, and inactivity contribute to this risk.
• Limited research exists on behavior change interventions for CVD risk reduction in this specific population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To co-design an eHealth intervention named 'ManGuard'.
• The intervention aims to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among male taxi drivers.
• To ensure the intervention is theory-informed and user-centered.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the IDEAS framework for eHealth intervention development.
• Incorporated the Behavior Change Wheel (BCW) to ensure theoretical underpinnings.
• Guiding development through literature review, expert input, surveys, systematic review, meta-analysis, and focus groups with taxi drivers.

Main Results:

• Physical inactivity was identified as the primary target behavior for CVD risk reduction.
• Male taxi drivers preferred smartphone-based eHealth interventions.
• Key preferences included simple design, concise/relatable content, and progress tracking capabilities.

Conclusions:

• The co-designed 'ManGuard' intervention addresses the need for CVD risk reduction in male taxi drivers.
• Focusing on physical activity and utilizing accessible technology aligns with user preferences.
• This approach offers a promising avenue for improving cardiovascular health in this occupational group.