The Relationship Between Work-Related Factors, Risky Behaviors, and Major Accidents Among Motorcycle Food Delivery Riders (MFDR) in Thailand

Abstract

Abstract Motorcycle food delivery riders (MFDR) are more susceptible to traffic collisions when compared to regular motorcyclists. Their safety is a major concern in many developing countries, especially Thailand, which has the highest rate of motorcyclist fatalities in the world. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the prevalence of accidents, hospitalization, involvement in risky behaviors, and concerning problems among MFDR and determine factors associated with accidents. The data were collected from 709 MFDR in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The prevalence of any accidents among MFDR in the past six months was 18.9% which can be categorized into 4.9% minor injuries, 2.4% hospitalized major injuries, and 11.6% non-hospitalized major injuries. 84.3% of them engaged in at least one risky behavior and 5.8% of them engaged in ten or more risky behaviors. The most frequent risky behavior was using the mobile phone while riding (78.8%), While the least frequent risky behavior not wearing a helment (9.3%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicates that the factors associated with the major accidents were running a red light (aOR 2.78, 95%CI 1.07 to 7.21) and having concerns for customer behavior (aOR 2.66, 95%CI 1.26 to 5.62). The factors associated with any accidents (both major and minor accidents) were sleeping < 6 hours/day (aOR 2.13, 95%CI 1.41 to 3.21) and working ≥ 48 hours/week (aOR 1.72, 95%CI 1.04 to 2.83) To reduce the rate and severity of traffic accidents, the government and the delivery firms should provide effective strategies and targeted interventions focusing on the reduction of risky behaviors and other modifiable risk factors.