By
Tammy Gay
~
See related story in
the Sept. 24, 2000, edition of the Lexington
Herald-Leader.
~ |
LEXINGTON, KY
(Sept. 25, 2000) -- Women now comprise approximately 6 percent of
long-haul truck drivers. Deborah Reed, R.N., Ph.D., assistant
professor, University of Kentucky College of Nursing, has
completed her first study looking at occupational health issues of
female long-haul truck drivers.
The purpose of Reed’s study included:
- Providing a description of the health status of female
truck drivers;
- Identifying social, economic and behavioral factors that
influence access to health care; and
- Distinguishing female truck driver’s usage patterns and
barriers in obtaining health care.
In the study, 284 drivers were surveyed. Medically diagnosed
health conditions included sinus problems, 27.8 percent, back
pain, 18.3 percent, migraines, 17.3 percent, hypertension, 15.5
percent, vision problems, 12 percent, and depression, 8.5 percent. |
