An examination of the Health Status and Healthcare Seeking Behaviour of Public Taxi Drivers in Jamaica during the Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic

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Paul Andrew Bourne
Department of Institutional Research, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
Kemone Allen
Department of Nursing, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
Stacyann Morgan
Department of Nursing, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
Laurel Thompson
Department of Nursing, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
Shanice Vernon
Department of Nursing, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
James Fallah
Department of Dental Hygiene, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
Calvin Campbell
Department of Mathematics and Engineering, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
Clifton Foster
Department of Biology, Chemistry, and Environmental Sciences, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.
Caroline McLean
Department of Nursing, Northern Caribbean University, Mandeville, Manchester, Jamaica, WI.

Abstract

Background: At the start of the Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, the first reported case in Jamaica was on March 10, 2020. Since the occurrence of COVID-19, many sectors of society such as taxi operators have been adversely affected.


Objective: This research aimed to determine the health status and health-seeking behavior of taxi operators in Jamaica during the COVID-19 pandemic.


Methods: A series of questions were created in Google Forms and distributed to 501 participants from the 14 parishes in Jamaica. The quantitative data conversion occurred using IBM Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for Mac, version 27.


Results: The current study showed that 65.10% (n=326) of respondents deemed it necessary to seek health care during the pandemic. However, 53.70% (269) of respondents did not have health insurance. The research showed that of the known non-communicable diseases, asthma (a respiratory illness), was the highest prevalence 13.40% (67)and 25.70% (129) of respondents are unaware of their health condition. To better manage their health status, 62.10% (311) of respondents mentioned that they and their passengers wear a face mask; in contrast, 34.1% (171) have not yet decided on a strategic measure to improve their health and well-being. In addition, 63.5% (318) respondents said that they visit a Medical Practitioner only when they are ill. Thus, the model of health-seeking behavior is a significant one (?2=5.871), P<0.209) with the prediction that most taxi drivers' general health status is in good shape, and this has no correlation with gender.


Conclusions: The need for health promotion is vital, and the research results suggest that taxi drivers realize that their health is their responsibility. With more significant efforts and better health promotion, taxi operators' health status will remain stable as they seek optimum health.

Article Details

How to Cite
BOURNE, Paul Andrew et al. An examination of the Health Status and Healthcare Seeking Behaviour of Public Taxi Drivers in Jamaica during the Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. International Journal of Recent Advances in Medical & Pharma Research, [S.l.], v. 4, n. 1, 2021. Available at: <http://medical.eurekajournals.com/index.php/IJRAMPR/article/view/87>. Date accessed: 17 may 2024.
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Issue
Vol 4 No 1 (2021): International Journal of Recent Advances in Medical & Pharma Research
Section
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