Truck Drivers’ Use of the Internet: A Mobile Health Lifeline

Details

• Personal Author:
  Combs B ; Griffin R ; Heaton K
• Description:
  Because of their social isolation, irregular and unpredictable schedules, limited access to health care, and long periods of travel, long-haul truckers may benefit from the use of mobile health applications on Internet-capable devices. The purpose of this study was to determine Internet access and usage among a sample of long-haul truck drivers. In this cross-sectional study, truck drivers completed a pencil and paper survey with questions on demographics, work and health histories, and Internet access and usage for both personal and job reasons. A total of 106 truck drivers were recruited from trucking industry trade shows, by word of mouth, and directly from trucking companies. Overall, the truck drivers' use of the Internet was limited. Their usage for personal and job-related reasons differed. Social connectivity and access to health and wellness information were important during personal usage time. Job-related Internet use was highly practical, and applied to seeking information for directions and maps, fuel stops and pricing, and communicating with employers or transmitting documents. Age and experience were associated with Internet use. Younger, less-experienced drivers used the Internet more than older, experienced drivers. Targeted mobile health messaging may be a useful tool to inform truck drivers of health conditions and plans, and may provide links to primary care providers needing to monitor or notify drivers of diagnostic results or treatment plans. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Automobiles Behavior Computers Demography Health Care Facilities Workforce And Services Health Promotion Occupational Health Safety Software Surveys And Questionnaires Transportation

  More +
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Transportation Computer Applications Computer Programs Cross Sectional Studies Demographic Characteristics Health Care Health Promotion Health Services Health Surveys Long Work Hours Medical Monitoring Mobile Equipment Mobile Health Motor Vehicles Questionnaires Social Media Sociological Factors Truck Drivers Trucking Work Experience

  More +
• ISSN:
  2165-0799
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Alabama ; OSHA Region 4
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  240-247
• Volume:
  65
• Issue:
  6
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20051564
• Citation:
  Workplace Health Saf 2017 Jun; 65(6):240-247
• Contact Point Address:
  Karen Heaton, PhD, FNP-BC, FAAN, School of Nursing, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, NB 2M026, 1720 2nd AVE S, Birmingham, AL 35294-1210, USA
• Email:
  kharnp@uab.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2017
• Performing Organization:
  University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20110901
• Source Full Name:
  Workplace Health & Safety
• End Date:
  20140131
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:02a7451749c612922ad360247bbb492f3db3cd34e7990d62c8a103dda0d3b51137fa74e2fc3154a0b07515d9d9af2a14e127d2d8bd08e83c61fcf440acaeaa7d
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/211459/cdc_211459_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 120.42 KB ]