Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Relating to HIV among Motorbike Taxi Drivers in Parakou, Benin, in 2021

Background and Objective: HIV infection is a major global Public Health threat worldwide, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa of which Benin. The level of knowledge determines the attitudes and behaviors of the populations towards this infection. The study objective was to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices related to HIV infection among motorbike taxi drivers (MTD) in Parakou in 2021. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study targeting MTD in Parakou in 2021. Participants were selected by cluster sampling. Pretested Digitized questionnaire using KoboCollect@ applicationserved as a data collection tool. Knowledge, attitudes and practices variable were treated on a score scale. A knowledge score was considered to reflect a good knowledge of HIV if at least two-thirds of the knowledge statements had been correctly answered provided the subject recognized the sexual route as one of modes of HIV transmission, identified at least one preventive measure and meant the incurability of the disease. Quantitative and qualitative variables were appropriately described using the EPI Info 7.1.3.3 software. The participant was classified at positive attitude/practice for HIV prevention, when it has a score of at least 80% and suggests a good preventive measure face a risk of exposure to HIV. Results: A total of 374 subjects were recruited into the study. The mean age was 31.51 ± 7.76 years. Most participants (86.06%) had good knowledge of condom use as an HIV prevention method. The sources of information mentioned were mainly the media (77.07%), relatives or friends (63.38%), and field-workers from non-governmental organizations (37.26%). Routine HIV testing was 50.53%. Among participants, 76.10% reported at least two different sexual partners. Condom use was 59.18 % during the casual sexual intercourse. Within the client-provider relationship with female sex workers, 33.17% had had sexual intercourse with them. The sexual route was the most cited (92.99%), and 90.23% stated that HIV infection can be stabilized by medication in a health structure. Conclusion: The level of knowledge of motorbike taxi drivers in Parakou does not match their behavior with regard to HIV prevention. Appropriate strategies are needed to develop prevention skills in this population. To effectively comb at HIV, it will be necessary to strengthen the targeted HIV preventive interventions at key and bridge populations including motorbike taxi drivers in Benin.

Evaluation of Physical and Mental Quality of Life of Motorcycle Taxi Drivers

Motorcycle taxi drivers are workers who use motorcycle to carry passengers. Objectives: to identify the sociodemographic profile and evaluate the physical and mental quality of life of motorcycle taxi drivers. Methods: Cross-sectional study, held in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul-Brazil, from May to July 2015 with 301 participants. To calculate the sample size, the margin of error was 5%, confidence level, 95%;and the drivers were randomly selected. For data collection, two instruments were used: the demographic questionnaire and the SF-36 Health Status Questionnaire. Results: Among the 301 respondents, predominance fell on males (98.7%, n = 297), married or in a stable relationship (63.5%, n = 191), with completed high school education (44.9%, n = 135). More than half felt discomfort while working (52.8%, n = 159). Of those with diagnosed disease the predominant type of disease was hypertension (55.5%, n = 30). When male and female were compared, men had lower average in the mental health aspect (63.39 ± 13.22);and women, in the emotional aspect (41.66 ± 31.91). There were significant differences in the scores of physical functioning (p = 0.002), bodily pain (0.043) and general health perceptions (p = 0.003) of the drivers reporting disease, compared to those who did not reported it. Conclusion: The studied motorcycle taxi drivers are mostly male, married, with high school education. Regarding quality of life, men had lower perception in the general mental health aspect whereas women showed lower perception in the emotional aspects. The individuals with disease had lower perceived quality of life in the physical functioning, bodily pain and general health concepts.

Li Ming:A "Star" Taxi Driver

ＬｉＭｉｎｇ：Ａ＂Ｓｔａｒ＂ＴａｘｉＤｒｉｖｅｒＭｏｄｅｓｔａｎｄｃｏｎｓｉｄｅｒａｔｅ，ＬｉＭｉｎｇｓｅｅｓｈｉｓｊｏｂａｓｏｎｅｏｆｒｅｓｐｅｃｔａｎｄｓｅｒｖｉｃｅｔｏｈｉｓｃｕｔｏｍｅｒｓ．ＢｙＹＥＧＵＯＢＩＡＯＢＥＡＵＴＩＦＹＩＮＧ＂ｈｉｓ...

Understanding taxi driver's cruising behavior with ZIP model

The taxi drivers' cruising pattern was learned using GPS trajectory data collected in Shenzhen,China.By employing zero-inflated Poisson model,the impacts of land use and previous pick-up experience on cruising decision were measured.The cruising strategies of different types of drivers as well as the top one driver were examined.The results indicate that both land use and previous pick-up experience affect travel behavior with the former's influence(7.07×10-4 measured by one of the coefficients in zero-inflated Poisson model) being greater than the latter's(4.58×10-5) in general,but the comparison also varies across the types of drivers.Besides,taxi drivers' day-to-day learning feature is also proved by the results.According to comparison of the cruising behavior of the most efficient and inefficient driver,an efficient cruising strategy was proposed,that is,obeying the distribution of land use in choice of cruising area,while learning from pick-up experience in selection of detailed cruising location.By learning taxi drivers' cruising pattern,the development of measures of regulating travel behaviors is facilitated,important factor for traffic organization and planning is identified,and an efficient cruising strategy for taxi drivers is provided.

Bronchospasm Diagnosis in Motorcycle Taxi Drivers Exposed to Automotive Pollutants in Porto-Novo

Background: In African cities, chronic exposure to pollutants is the most common public health problem faced daily by motorcycle taxi drivers. In Benin, studies conducted on motorcycle drivers, have shown the presence of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter in ambient air, which may affect lung function. Aims: This study aims to diagnose potential respiratory problems among 48 motorcycle taxi drivers (47.02 ± 8.75 years) compared to a control group made up of 52 people (46.38 ± 8.81 years) in Porto-Novo, Benin. Methods: A questionnaire, two exploration pulmonary function tests and two 6-minute walk tests were used to identify symptoms and changes in respiratory variables that reveal the existence of bronchospasm. Results: The frequency of respiratory symptoms noted among motorcycle taxi drivers is higher than that recorded among members of the control group. We observed that motorcycle drivers at rest and after physical effort have significantly lower respiratory variables (FVC, FEV1, PEF, FEF25-75, FEF50 and FEF25) (p < 0.05) than those recoded in control group. Conclusion: It can therefore be concluded that, because of the relatively long duration of exposure among motorcycle taxi drivers, the inhalation of automobile pollutants, may cause respiratory problems in this population.

Higher Plasma Potassium Level Reduces 10-Year Cardiovascular Disease Risk Predicted by the Framingham Risk Score among Taxi-Motorbike Drivers Residing and Working in Cotonou, Benin

Hypertension, obesity, smoking, dyslipidemia, and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are the major risk factors for developing cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Recent studies revealed that taxi-motorbike drivers (TMDs) in Cotonou had higher rates of CVD risk factors, but their impacts on cardiovascular events have rarely been studied. The Framingham risk score (FRS) is an algorithm that considers CVD risk factors and estimates the risk of developing CVD in the next 10 years. Our objectives were to assess the 10-year CVD risk predicted by the FRS, and to examine the relationships of 10-year CVD risk with plasma iron and potassium levels among TMDs. We included 134 TMDs (22 - 59 years old) who had no prior diagnosis of CVD or T2D, and not taking medications affecting iron and potassium homeostasis. Conventional cardiovascular risk factors were used to calculate the 10-year CVD risk, which was categorized as low (20%). FRS > 2%, which corresponded to the 75th percentile of FRS distribution in our study population, was used as a cut-off value to classify participants into two groups. Plasma iron and potassium levels were segregated into tertiles and their associations with 10-year CVD risk were quantified by multivariate-adjusted logistic regression to calculate the odd ratios (ORs) to being above the 75th percentile of 10-year CVD risk with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We found that 62.0% of participants had at least one of cardiovascular risk factors. Approximately 97.8% of TMDs had 10-year CVD risk 4.8 mmol/L led to an 83% risk reduction of having 10-year CVD risk > 2% (OR = 0.17, 95% CI: 0.04 - 0.82, P = 0.027). In conclusion, our findings showed that high plasma potassium levels associate with reduced 10-year CVD risk among TMDs. Interventions focused on monitoring of plasma potassium, particularly in those with existing cardiovascular risk factors, may help prevent CVD.

Investigating the trip configured causal effect of distracted driving on aggressive driving behavior for e-hailing taxi drivers

Risky driving behavior of taxi drivers typically evaluated for full operation or sometimes sorted into occupied and empty running trips.In this paper,we simultaneously analyze aggressive driving and distracted driving of taxi drivers under three different trip categories.Trip origin is considered a transition from without ride-order to with ride-order travelling or from with ride-order to occupied travelling,and a destination as a transition from occupied to without ride-order travelling and vice versa.Distracted driving is characterized by driver interference,driver mobile use and some entertainment aspects,while specific harmful and risky actions are considered for aggressive driving.High-resolution and real-time kinematic parameters of taxis were recorded by the in-vehicle recorder VBOX for overall 562 trips.The distracted driving parameters and aggressive driving actions were monitored through python data collector web application that was specially programmed for this particular research.Besides dual dash cam(i.e.,front and inside car camera),drivers’ whole day driving history from their Chinese ride-hailing Di Di smart application was used to differentiate occupied trips,unoccupied trips with ride-order and unoccupied trips without ride-order.Structural equation modeling(SEM) is practiced in this paper to understand the influence of distracted driving indicators on aggressive driving behaviors.The multi-group model analysis of SEM indicated that handling distracted risky driving could control aggressive driving behavior up to 96% and 98% inunoccupied without ride-order trips and unoccupied trips with ride-order respectively.The model has also identified the sensitive risky driving indicators for each group separately.

Vocational Training for the World Philatelic Exhibition——Training Designed for Taxi Drivers in Luo Yang

To explore skills of enhancing the performance of reception and publicizing World Philatelic Exhibition,Executive Committee of China 2009 World Philatelic Exhibition(China 2009)together with Transporting Management Department of Luo Yang Transportation Bureau run a training course called"Creating a Civilized City,Greeting the World Philatelic Exhibition",April 28,2008. Executives and managers from Luo Yang taxi companies attended the course.There, they were mainly equipped with

Taxi Driver's Passenger Is His Long-Lost Son

这是一则美丽的奇闻！读此奇闻,我竟然有点相信命运了！一对离别34载的父子相逢并相识于一出租车内,父开车,子乘车！文章中一表达激动话让我铭记:The blood just drained out of me when he said‘I’m your son’。作为一翻译教师,我的职业习惯让我思考,此话能否直译?——当他说“我是你的儿子”的时候,我的浑身的血都被抽干了！】

High-Level Circulating Total Calcium and Low Phosphate as Predictors of Insulin Resistance among Non-Diabetic Taxi-Motorbike Drivers Living and Working in Cotonou, Benin

Insulin resistance (IR) is a well-recognized marker of increased cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk. Therefore, screening for IR predictors would help reduce the likelihood of progression from early stage of IR to T2D or CVDs. However, the knowledge of association between IR and circulating total calcium (CTCa) and phosphate levels among non-diabetic patients in Benin is lacking. We investigated whether CTCa and phosphate levels within the normal ranges are associated with IR risk among taxi-motorbike drivers (TMDs) living and working in Cotonou. We evaluated 134 non-diabetic TMDs (aged 22 - 59 years) based on CTCa, phosphate, glucose, fasting insulin, and IR levels. IR was assessed using the homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). IR was defined as the 75th percentile of HOMA-IR value. Cardiometabolic factors were analyzed by tertiles of CTCa and phosphate levels (low, middle, and high groups). Logistic regression models evaluated the relationships between IR and CTCa and phosphate levels. Our results showed that participants with high CTCa levels had the highest prevalence of IR, elevated total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In a fully adjusted model, the odd ratio (OR) of having IR comparing the highest (>2.50 mmol/L) to the lowest CTCa levels (1.23 mmol/L) and the lowest levels (<1.10 mmol/L) of phosphate was 0.28 (p = 0.037). In conclusion, our study demonstrates that elevated CTCa and low phosphate levels are significant predictors of IR in non-diabetic patients. Continuous monitoring of these markers may help identify earlier individuals at greatest IR risk.

Elevated White Blood Cell Count Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Insulin Resistance among Non-Diabetic Taxi-Motorbike Drivers Working in Cotonou, Benin

High white blood cell count (WBC) and insulin resistance (IR) are interrelated events that contribute to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including type-2 diabetes (T2D). However, associations between IR and hematological parameters have never been explored in populations of Benin. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of IR and associated hematological parameters in taxi-motorbike drivers (TMDs) working in Cotonou. A total of 133 participants were analyzed in this cross-sectional study. Complete blood count, including WBC and platelet, as well as fasting plasma glucose and insulin, were performed by standard procedures. IR was assessed using the Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Factors associated with IR, their odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were determined by logistic regression analysis. The mean age of the study participants was 39.3 years. The HOMA-IR cut-off (75th percentile) for IR was 5.9. The overall prevalence of IR was 24.1%. IR increased with the increase of exposure duration and WBC levels. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the risk of IR increased significantly with higher total WBC, with adjusted ORs (95% CI) for the second and third tertiles of 3.56 (1.10 - 11.58) and 4.01 (1.21 - 13.31), respectively. Similar patterns of associations were observed in an analysis restricted to non-drinkers, although these estimates lacked statistical significance. BMI > 24.2 kg/m2 was independently associated with an increased risk of IR (OR = 3.82, 95% CI: 1.33 - 11.03, P = 0.013). In conclusion, the prevalence of IR in TMDs was 24.1%. IR was significantly associated with elevated WBC count and BMI. WBC may serve as a biomarker to identify individuals at the greatest IR risk.

Low Plasma Potassium and High Iron Levels Increased the Risk of Dyslipidemia among Non-Diabetic Taxi-Motorbike Drivers Living and Working in Cotonou, Benin

Non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors such as iron and potassium may play a role in lipid metabolism. However, information on this association is lacking in populations of Benin. This study evaluated the associations between plasma iron and potassium levels and risk of dyslipidemia among taxi-motorbike drivers (TMDs) in Cotonou. We conducted a cross-sectional study on 134 males TMDs aged ≥20 years old, of whom 39 (29.1%) had dyslipidemia. Plasma biochemistry including measurements of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), iron, and potassium were performed. Dyslipidemia was defined as any or combinations of the following: TC > 5.2 mmol/L, LDL-C > 3.4 mmol/L, TG > 1.7 mmol/L, and HDL-C 18.8 μmol/L) to the 1st tertile of plasma iron (<13.6 μmol/L) was 3.85, (95% CI: 1.20 - 12.35, p = 0.023). We observed similar patterns of association in a subgroup analysis restricted to normotensive patients, although the estimates lacked statistical significance. Our findings also revealed that the risk of dyslipidemia decreased when plasma potassium levels increased. The OR (95% CI) for dyslipidemia comparing the 2nd tertile (4.4 - 4.8 μmol/L) to the 1st tertile (<4.3 μmol/L) of potassium was 0.31 (0.11 - 0.86, p = 0.025). Interestingly, the risk of dyslipidemia decreased progressively (81% to 86%) and significantly across plasma potassium tertiles when restricting analysis to normotensive patients. The ORs (95% CI) for dyslipidemia comparing the 2nd and 3rd tertiles to the 1st tertile of plasma potassium were 0.19 (0.04 - 0.87, p = 0.032) and 0.14 (0.02 - 0.93, p = 0.043). In conclusion, our study shows that higher plasma iron and low potassium levels are significant predictors of dyslipidemia in TMDs. As such, the findings have public health implications for predicting and preventing dyslipidemia and associated cardiometabolic diseases. However, longitudinal studies are needed to determine if disturbances in iron and potassium levels, even within the normal range, are precursors or consequences of dyslipidemia.

出租车驾驶员人格与风险感知对自我形象的影响

目的 研究出租车驾驶员人格与风险感知能力对自我形象的影响.方法 采用自我形象量表、风险感知量表和人格量表对317 名出租车驾驶员进行测量.结果 男性驾驶员更容易出现冲动驾驶行为,女性驾驶员则更偏向于谨慎驾驶;无规则可以正向预测冲动驾驶行为,可以负向预测自信驾驶行为;利他可以正向预测谨慎驾驶行为,可以负向预测冲动驾驶行为;感觉寻求可以负向预测谨慎驾驶行为,可以正向预测冲动驾驶行为;愤怒特质可以负向预测谨慎驾驶行为;自信驾驶行为可以正向预测冲动驾驶行为.结论 驾驶员的人格与风险感知对自我形象存在影响.

网约车平台用工的法律逻辑——基于英美等国法院对Uber司机案裁判的研究

网约车司机与平台之间究竟属于哪种类型的劳动用工关系,这在学界和法律实务部门都是至今尚未能形成定论与共识的话题。域外相关国家及其地方政府和司法机关的认识也存有差异,但基本判断似乎越来越接近。即网约车司机属于具有稳定使用关系的“工人”,而不是具有稳定雇佣关系的“雇员”。这种既具备稳定使用关系,又具有相对劳动自由度的新型劳动者,在法律上并没有摆脱用工方对其进行的控制与监督管理,也没有摆脱经济上的从属性,因而应该被纳入劳动法的调整与保护范围。现有工厂制时代形成的劳动法体制,应根据网络用工的特点和要求做相应的调整,以能够覆盖和保护网络从业劳动者的合法权益。

考虑网约车竞争的机场出租车供需均衡博弈模型

为有效解决机场出租车供需不均衡问题,本文基于完全信息下静态非合作博弈理论提出机场出租车司机及乘客两个群体决策的纯策略博弈模型。将网约车竞争影响引入出租车司机群体决策收益函数的构建中,探讨不同竞争强度对出租车司机群体决策结果的影响。同时,考虑排队长度、上客速率、交通状况、交通费用及多交通方式分流等因素研究乘客群体决策的收益函数,反映乘客群体不同决策结果对司机的影响。以北京首都国际机场为案例进行实证分析。结果显示:在北京市网约车行业平均竞争水平下,两群体通过互馈影响达到纳什均衡时,整体供给略高于需求,其中,早晚高峰时段机场出租车呈现供大于求的状态;地铁停运后的凌晨则需求远大于供给。针对当前网约车竞争水平下达到纳什均衡时的机场出租车每日供需不均衡现象,可以适当提高出租车司机对网约车竞争影响的认知。

数字劳动秩序的构建、消解与调节——一项基于传统巡游出租车司机的考察

平台经济蓬勃发展并将彻底颠覆诸多传统行业的规则,传统行业中的常规劳动者群体正处在新旧秩序交替之间的特殊过渡期。通过聚集中国长三角地区超大、特大城市的传统巡游出租车司机群体,以这一群体的媒介化生活为实践田野,借助建构型扎根理论方法阐释这种处于两种经济形态过渡地带的数字劳动秩序何以构建。研究表明,平台通过任务分派、规则指导和绩效评估形成了劳动秩序建构的主导性力量;而司机群体借由选择性接单、技术盗用、平台脱媒和自我脱离,与劳动秩序中的不平等权力关系形成对峙;技术想象与规则认同是司机在平台劳动场景之下存有的积极动因,身份妥协和规则迎合则是他们在平台劳动场景之下维持工作信念的支撑力所在。

整合与适应:巡游出租车司机的数字平台驯化实践

伴随着网络预约出行平台和传统巡游出租车的融合,数字平台成为一种外来技术开始进入巡游出租车司机的日常劳动过程。本研究基于驯化理论框架,对67位巡游出租车司机进行了观察和半结构化访谈,并对巡游出租车司机的3个社交群聊进行了参与式观察,探究了处于平台经济形态与传统工作状态交界处的司机群体对数字平台的驯化过程。研究发现,巡游出租车司机借助技术想象与意义建构勾连接入动机,调整工作时间与空间以完成技术的物质嵌入,通过知识共享与情感共鸣实现身份共同体的重塑。巡游出租车司机对数字平台的驯化实践呈现出技术融入生活过程中的整合与适应特征,是对经典劳动过程理论中二元对立框架的回应与延展。

出租车高效益行程特征

为提高出租车营运效率和服务水平,以重庆为案例,研究出租车行程特征与出租车驾驶员单位时间收入的关联机理。首先,基于关联的出租车营运数据和轨迹数据构建行程特征指标;其次,构建随机森林预测模型分析行程特征对单位时间收入的相对重要性及显著性;然后,构建多分类Logistic回归模型分析行程特征对单位时间收入的量化影响。研究结果表明:行程特征指标可用于预测驾驶员单位时间收入且准确性较好,送客速度、寻客时长、长单数量对平均单位时间收入预测的相对重要性最大;寻客行程迂回度、送客行程迂回度、寻客里程的增加会显著促使普通效益驾驶员降为低效益驾驶员,而寻客行程迂回度、寻客区域偏好度、寻客里程的减少及送客速度的增加会显著促使普通效益驾驶员上升为高效益驾驶员。高效益驾驶员具有寻客积极主动、不偏好特定区域、倾向预期通行速度快的短路径、有长单偏好但不刻意追求等特征。本文弥补了先前相关研究在行程特征与效益的关联性构建,多样化行程特征对单位时间收入的表征与预测,高效益出租车驾驶员营运特征勾勒等方面的不足;可为城市交通管理、出租车数量管控及运价调整等提供理论依据和技术支撑。