Road Traffic Injuries Of Takeout Deliverymen In Hefei And Their Influencing Factors

ObjectiveThe objective of this study were to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of road traffic accidents(RTAs)and injuries(RTIs)among takeout deliverymen in Hefei City,to identify the reasons behind RTAs and RTIs among these takeout deliverymen,and to provide a solid foundation for the development and implementation of relevant policies.MethodsThe research includes three parts: roadside observation,questionnaire,and semistructured interview.For roadside observation,we randomly selected observation intersections in four urban areas of Hefei City in July 2021 and July 2022.We observed,recorded,and analyzed the behaviors of takeout delivery drivers,including running red lights,not wearing helmets,using mobile phones while driving,changing lanes,and engaging in distracting activities while driving.Using sampling,a questionnaire survey was conducted in Hefei City from May to July 2022.The survey included basic information about takeout deliverymen,as well as assessments of their self-rated anxiety(SAS)and social support(SSRS).Additionally,the survey covered road traffic injury and accident occurrence,road safety knowledge,beliefs and attitudes,and behaviors(knowledge-belief and attitude-behavior,KAP).Descriptive analysis,univariate analysis,and binary logistic regression analysis were conducted to analyze the participants’ RTA status and influencing factors.Furthermore,a semi-structured interviews were conducted from July to September 2022,based on the questionnaire survey results.Ten takeout deliverymen who had not experienced RTIs and ten who had were randomly selected and content analysis was used to explore in-depth the reasons for the occurrence of RTIs.These interviews aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying causes of RTIs among this population.ResultsRoadside observation: total observed 34 445 person-times;the frequency of running red lights was 20.8%,that of not wearing a helmet was 46.1%,that of using a phone while driving was 14.8%,that of changing lanes was 10.4%,and that of chatting while driving was 1.0%.Of 13 418 person-times were recorded in 2021 and 21 027 in 2022;a total of11 558 personnel were recorded in Baohe District,6 201 in Luyang District,9 709 in Shushan District,and 6 977 in Yaohai District;between 11:00 and 13:30,19 795 persontimes were recorded,and between 16:00 and 18:00,14 650 person-times were recorded;on weekdays,23 578 person-times were recorded,and on the rest days 10 867 persontimes were recorded;RTAs and RTIs have not yet been seen or reported.Questionnaire survey: In this survey,463 valid questionnaires were finally collected,with an effective rate of 91.7%.Of them,451 were male(97.4%)and 12 were female(2.6%);In terms of age,238 people ranged from 26 to <36 years old(51.4%),130 people≤25 years old(28.1%),95 people ≥36 years old(20.5%);In terms of marital status,225 were unmarried(48.6%),219 were married/remarried(47.3%),19 were divorced/widowed(4.1%);In terms of spouse income,87 spouses had no fixed income(38.3%),and 9 spouses’ income was less than 3 000 yuan(8.4%).The income of 60 spouses was between 3 000 and 5 000 yuan(26.4%),and the income of 61 spouses was≥5 000 yuan(26.9%);236 people chose regular physical examination(51.0%);103persons ≤30(22.2%),264 persons 31-< 50(57.0%),96 persons ≥51(20.7%);In terms of daily working hours,165 people were less than 10 hours(35.6%),298 people were more than 10 hours(64.4%);239 people drank alcohol(51.6%);89 people ate three meals regularly(19.2%),119 people ate three meals regularly(25.7%),and 104 people ate three meals regularly(22.5%).The anxiety self-evaluation of online delivery personnel was good on the whole,with SAS score(26.08±5.85),and only 14 people had anxiety symptoms(3.0%).The social support level of online deliverers was average,and SSRS score was(35.10±8.39).9 respondents had poor social support level(1.9%),and 309 respondents had average social support level(66.7%).The KAP of road traffic safety of network delivery workers was generally not good,and the score was(37.03±7.60)points.RTAs and RTIs occurred in 99 patients(21.4%).29 patients were injured in upper and lower limbs(69.0%).Contusions and abrasions were the nature of 23 injuries(56.1%).Univariate analysis results showed that there were differences in marital status,spouse income,whether regular physical examination,number of daily intake,daily working hours,whether drinking alcohol,regular meals,social support score,social support degree,total score of KAP,KAP evaluation and safety behavior score between traffic accident occurrence group and non-accident group(all P<0.05).Binary Logistic regression analysis model showed that,without drinking alcohol,(OR=0.474,95%CI :0.292,0.770,P=0.003),High degree of social support(OR=0.512,95%CI :0.290,0.905,P=0.021)was a protective factor for RTAs.Univariate analysis results showed that there were differences in marital status,spouse income,whether regular physical examination,the number of daily intake,daily working hours,whether drinking alcohol,regular meals,social support score,social support degree,a total score of KAP,the KAP evaluation and safety behavior score between traffic accident occurrence group and non-accident group(all with P<0.05).According to binary logistic regression results,abstaining from alcohol(OR=0.474,95% CI:0.292,0.770,P=0.003)and having strong social support(OR=0.512,95% CI:0.290,0.905,P=0.021)were among the factors that reduced the risk of RTA.Semi-structured interviews: Most cited the reasons for the occurrence of RTIs as including inadequate regulation,low safety awareness among takeout deliverymen,harsh delivery mechanisms,confusing vehicle management,and unreasonable road planning.ConclusionsThis study found that takeout deliverymen in Hefei City exhibited high incidence rates of risky riding behaviors,including signal-running(20.8%),not wearing helmets(46.1%),using cell phones while riding(14.8%),lane reversal(10.4%),and gossiping while riding(1.0%).The incidence rates of road traffic accidents(RTAs)and road traffic injuries(RTIs)were also high,with rates of 21.4% and 9.1%,respectively.The total score of traffic safety KAP was consistent with roadside observation results,indicating that factors such as alcohol consumption and social support influenced the occurrence of RTAs.Interview results suggested that insufficient supervision,weak safety awareness,harsh delivery mechanisms,and chaotic road management were major contributors to RTIs.Therefore,it is imperative to promote road safety and life and health education for takeaway deliverymen from the perspectives of government,businesses,and society.Sales and management of electric two-wheelers,to reduce dangerous riding behaviors and "over-standard" electric vehicles.Additionally,to strengthen the construction of the riding environment from the perspective of road management and road planning so as to provide protection for takeout deliverymen.The above will reduce the possibility of RTAs and RTIs for takeout deliverymen in Hefei City.