Working and health conditions of drivers of a public transportation company in bogotá, d.c.

A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out. Aimed at identifying the working conditions of the drivers of a public transportation company in Bogotá. A technical inspection was done in some of the routes covered by the company. 194 drivers were included; all of them were interviewed, and submitted to medical and physiotherapeutic exams, audiometry, examination of visual acuity and visual field, spirometry and biochemical tests (glycemia, lipid profile, glycosylated hemoglobin and carboxyhemoglobin blood levels before and after working exposition). The results showed that these workers are mainly exposed to the poor state of the streets, chemical pollutants, glaring, noisy environments, competition with other public transportation services ("cents war"), poor lighting in the streets and sudden temperature changes. Gastrointestinal alterations, anxiety, visual changes, depression, otorhinolaryngological manifestations, osteomuscular signs and symptoms (muscular retractions in the lower limb muscles and in the paravertebral muscles; alterations in the dorsal and lumbar spine) changes in the oral cavity, eyes and its annexes and nose, overweight, obesity, presbyopia, astigmatism, lipemia and abnormal carboxyhemoglobin levels were the most frequently reported changes after working exposition. One third of the drivers complained of high stress levels. The findings suggest discoveries suggest that the working conditions can cause adverse effects on health. It is recommended that future analytical studies be carried out in order to investigate the probable associations between the working risk factors and the adverse effects on health found here.Con el objetivo de identificar las condiciones de trabajo y salud de los conductores de una empresa de transporte público urbano, en 1999 se realizó en Bogotá un estudio descriptivo transversal. Se efectuó una inspección técnica en algunas rutas cubiertas por la empresa y se realizaron entrevistas, exámenes médico y fisioterapéutico, audiometrías, visiometrías, espirometrías, y pruebas biológicas (glicemia, perfil lipídico, hemoglobina glicosilada y niveles sanguíneos de carboxihemoglobina pre y post-exposición laboral) a 194 conductores. Los resultados mostraron que estos trabajadores están expuestos principalmente al mal estado de las vías, contaminantes químicos, deslumbramientos, ambiente ruidoso, competencia con otros vehículos ("guerra del centavo"), deficiente iluminación de las vías y cambios bruscos de temperatura. Frecuentemente reportaron síntomas: digestivos, de ansiedad, oculares, depresivos, otorrinolaringológicos, osteomusculares, respiratorios y neurológicos. Las mayores alteraciones de salud se relacionaron con sistema osteomuscular (retracciones musculares de miembros inferiores y paravertebrales, alteraciones de columna vertebral lumbar y dorsal), cavidad bucal, ojos y anexos, nariz, sobrepeso y obesidad; presbicia y astigmatismo, lipemias y niveles anormales de carboxihemoglobina postexposición laboral. Una tercera parte de los conductores manifestaron niveles altos de estrés. Los hallazgos sugieren que las condiciones de trabajo pueden contribuir con efectos adversos sobre la salud. Se reco mienda que futuros estudios (analíticos) investiguen las probables asociaciones entre factores de riesgo laboral y efectos adversos en la salud, aquí encontrados

Clinical and epidemiological aspects of complicated malaria in Colombia, 2007–2013

Additional file 2. Annual percentage change (APC) for complicated malaria, stratified by age