Ergonomics Review : Identify Discomfort Seating Posture Among Elderly Taxi Drivers at Malaysia Perspective
Abstract
World Health Organization (WHO) describes people aged above 60 years old fall under a category of elderly. The alternative profession could involve with this community is to be taxi drivers. Therefore, numerous factors should take part to ensure the elderly taxi drivers could serve their best performance and in good health condition. This study aimed to determined discomfort seating posture among elderly taxi drivers through ergonomic approach in Malaysian perspective. A cross-sectional study was conducted with elderly taxi drivers using a self-administered questionnaire. It included questions on socio-demographic data, work characteristics and discomfort older taxi drivers seating posture relative to body parts. Purposive method sampling used base on inclusive criteria; age 60 years old and above, self -driving taxi more than 1 year, no disabilities and registered with Land Public Transport Commission (LPTC). Total of 120 respondents participated in the study. Most of elderly taxi drivers used hired car type of taxi and work as a permanent job. The highest feeling discomfort on seating body posture among elderly taxi drivers are at the right hips and left buttock. At the left hips and lower back showed the highest discomfort on seating posture compare to other body parts. Inappropriate seating posture among elderly taxi drivers may cause to discomfort and developing to MSD’s. The low awareness on ergonomics education could reflect quality lifestyle and health among elderly taxi drivers inMalaysia.References
Andreoni, G., Santambrogio, G. C., Rabuffetti, M., & Pedotti, A. (2002). Method for the analysis of posture and
interface pressure of car drivers. Applied ergonomics,
(6), 511-522.
Andrusaitis, S. F., Oliveira, R. P., & Barros Filho, T. E. P.
(2006). Study of the prevalence and risk factors for low
back pain in truck drivers in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.
Clinics, 61(6), 503-510.
AL-Dubai, S. A. R., Qureshi, A. M., Ismail, N. H., &
Rampal, K. G. (2012). Prevalence and determinants of low
back pain among taxi drivers in Malaysia. A cross
sectional study. Journal of Advanced Medical
Research,2(4), 129-43.
Chen, J. C., Chang, W. R., Chang, W., & Christiani, D.
(2005). Occupational factors associated with low back
pain in urban taxi drivers. Occupational Medicine, 55(7),
-540.
DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS, MALAYSIA.DOSM.
Retrieved 13 November 2016 from
https://www.statistics.gov.my/index
Deros, B. M., Hassan, N. H. H., Daruis, D. D. I., &
Tamrin, S. B. M. (2015). Incorporating Malaysian's
Population Anthropometry Data in the Design of an
Ergonomic Driver's Seat. Procedia-Social and Behavioral
Sciences, 195, 2753-2760.
Deros, B. M., Hassan, N. H. H., Daruis, D. D. I., &
Tamrin, S. B. M. (2015). Incorporating Malaysian's
Population Anthropometry Data in the Design of an
Ergonomic Driver's Seat. Procedia-Social and Behavioral
Sciences, 195, 2753-2760.
Dunk, N. M., & Callaghan, J. P. (2005). Genderbased
differences in postural responses to seated
exposures. Clinical biomechanics, 20(10), 1101-1110.
Ebe, K., & Griffin, M. J. (2001). Factors affecting static
seat cushion comfort. Ergonomics, 44(10), 901-921.
Figà Talamanca, I., Cini, C., Varricchio, G. C., Dondero,
F., Gandini, L., Lenzi, A., ... & Patacchioli, F. R. (1996).
Effects of prolonged autovehicle driving on male
reproductive function: a study among taxi drivers.
American journal of industrial medicine, 30(6), 750-758.
Funakoshi, M., Tamura, A., Taoda, K., Tsujimura, H., &
Nishiyama, K. (2003). [Risk factors for low back pain
among taxi drivers in Japan]. Sangyo eiseigaku zasshi=
Journal of occupational health, 45(6), 235-247.
Machin, M. A., & De Souza, J. M. (2004). Predicting
health outcomes and safety behaviour in taxi drivers.
Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and
Behaviour, 7(4), 257-270.
Miyamoto, M., Konno, S., Gembun, Y., Liu, X., Minami,
K., & Ito, H. (2008). Epidemiological study of low back
pain and occupational risk factors among taxi drivers.
Industrial health, 46(2), 112-117.
Mohamad, D., Deros, B. M., Daruis, D. D., Ramli, N. F., &
Sukadarin, E. H. (2016). Comfortable Driver's Car Seat
Dimensions Based on Malaysian Anthropometrics Data.
Iranian Journal of Public Health, 45(1), 106.
Nahar, B. N., Ashan, G. U., & Khan, N. A. (2013).
Prevalence of low back pain and associated risk factors
among professional car drivers in Dhaka city, Bangladesh.
South East Asia Journal of Public Health, 2(1), 60-63.
Herriotts, P. (2005). Identification of vehicle design
requirements for older drivers. Applied ergonomics, 36(3),
-262.
Schneider, L. W. (1989). Survey of driver seating discomfort
and related factors.
Suruhajaya Pengangkutan Awam Darat -SPAD (2013),
Retrieved 13 November 2016 from Source URL:
http://www.spad.gov.my/ms/pengangkutan-awamdarat/teksi/statistik-utama
Smith, D.B.D., Meshkati, N., Robertson, M.M., 1993. The
older driver and passenger. In: Peacock, B., Karwowski, W.
(Eds.),Automotive Ergonomics. Taylor and Francis, London,
pp. 453–471.
Raanaas, R. K., & Anderson, D. (2008). A questionnaire
survey of Norwegian taxi drivers’ musculoskeletal
health, and work-related risk factors. International
Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 38(3), 280-290.
Rozali, A., Rampal, K. G., Shamsul Bahri, M. T., Sherina,
M. S., Shamsul Azhar, S., Khairuddin, H., & Sulaiman, A.
(2009). Low back pain and association with whole body
vibration among military armoured vehicle drivers in
Malaysia. Med J Malaysia, 64(3), 197-204.
Romli, A. (2009). Low back pain and association with whole
body vibration among military armoured vehicle drivers in
Malaysia.
Robb, M. J., & Mansfield, N. J. (2007). Self-reported
musculoskeletal problems amongst professional
truck drivers. Ergonomics, 50(6), 814-827.
Tamrin, S. B. M., Yokoyama, K., Jalaludin, J., Aziz, N. A.,
Jemoin, N., Nordin, R., ... & Abdullah, M. (2007). The
association between risk factors and low back pain among
commercial vehicle drivers in peninsular Malaysia: a
preliminary result. Industrial health, 45(2), 268-278.
Van Solinge H and Henkens K (2008) Adjustment to and
satisfaction with retirement:Two of a kind? Psychology and
Aging 23:422-434.
Vink, P., & Hallbeck, S. (2012). Editorial: Comfort and
discomfort studies demonstrate the need for a new model.
Wang, M. (2007). Profiling retirees in the retirement
transition and adjustment process: examining the longitudinal
change patterns of retirees' psychological well-being. Journal
of Applied Psychology, 92(2), 455.
Yang, Y., Fan, X. S., Tian, C. H., Zhang, W., Li, J., & Li,
S. Q. (2014). Health status, intention to seek health
examination, and participation in health education among
taxi drivers in jinan, china. Iranian Red Crescent Medical
Journal, 16(4).
Yamazaki, N. (1992). Analysis of sitting comfortability of
driver's seat by contact shape. Ergonomics, 35(5-6), 677-
Onawumi, A. S., & Lucas, E. B. (2012). Ergonomic
Investigation of Occupational Drivers and Seat Design of
Taxicabs in Nigeria. ARPN Journal of Science and
Technology, 2(3), 214-220.
Park, S. J., Lee, Y. S., Nahm, Y. E., Lee, J. W., & Kim, J.
S. (1998). Seating physical characteristics and
subjective comfort: design considerations (No. 980653).
SAE Technical Paper.
Pope, M. H., Magnusson, M., & Wilder, D. G. (1998).
Low Back Pain and Whole Body Vibration. Clinical
orthopaedics and related research, 354, 241-248.
Porter, J. M., & Gyi, D. E. (1998). Exploring the optimum
posture for driver comfort. International Journal of
Vehicle Design, 19(3), 255-266.
Xu, Y., Bach, E., & Orhede, E. (1997). Work environment
and low back pain: the influence of occupational
activities. Occupational and Environmental
Medicine, 54(10), 741-745.
Zhang, L., Helander, M. G., & Drury, C. G. (1996).
Identifying factors of comfort and discomfort in
sitting. Human factors, 38(3), 377-389.