Prevalence and factors associated with depression, anxiety and stress among minibus taxi drivers in Kampala City, Uganda

Abstract

Introduction: Minibus taxi drivers in Kampala city have increased risk of developing depression, anxiety and stress because of their occupation. The prevalence and factors associated with depression, anxiety and stress among minibus taxi drivers in Kampala are not well documented yet their significance in the transport industry has impacts on individual lives, society and the population health. General objective: To determine the prevalence and factors associated with depression, anxiety and stress among taxi drivers in Kampala city. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 minibus taxi drivers whose taxi stages/ routes were in Old, New, Kisenyi, Usafi, Namirembe, Nakawa and Nateete minibus taxi parks in Kampala. A validated Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) questionnaire was used to assess the levels of depression, anxiety and stress among the minibus taxi drivers. A semi-structured questionnaire was also used to collect data on factors associated with depression, anxiety and stress. STATA software version 15 was used for descriptive and Robust Poisson regression model statistical analyses. Results: The prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress was high at 65.64%, 70.85% and 81.99% respectively. Minibus taxi drivers who were using Internet had 17% (aPR= 0.83, 95% CI: 0.72-0.97) less prevalence of depression. The prevalence of depression was less by 21% (aPR= 0.79, 95% CI: 0.64-0.98) among minibus drivers who worked six days of in a week compared to those who worked ≤5 days. The prevalence of depression was 24% (aPR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.00-1.53) higher among minibus taxi drivers who were involved in a major road accident in the last 1 year compared to those who had not been involved in an accident. Having a chronic medical condition (aPR=1.22, 95% CI: 1.06-1.41) and having Family history of mental disorders (aPR=1.29, 95% CI: 1.10-1.51) were found to be significant risk factors for depression. The prevalence of anxiety was less by 28% and 21% among minibus taxi drivers who owned the taxi (aPR=0.72, 95% CI: 0.55-0.94) and those who worked 6 days in a week (aPR=0.79, 95% CI: 0.66-0.95), respectively. Having an average of 7 or more hours of sleep per day (aPR=1.49, 95% CI: 1.02-2.17), Sometimes (aPR=1.94, 95% CI: 1.27-2.96) and never (aPR=1.70, 95% CI: 1.10-2.61) getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep per day and having a chronic medical condition (aPR=1.20, 95% CI: 1.05-1.36) were found to be risk factors for anxiety. There was 12% and 39% increased prevalence of stress among minibus taxi drivers who had been involved in a major road accident in the last 1year (aPR=1.12, 95% CI: 1.00-1.26) and those who got an average of 7 or more hours of sleep per day (aPR=1.39, 95% CI: 1.02-1.91), respectively. Minibus taxi drivers who sometimes and never got 7 to 9 hours of sleep per day had a 68% (aPR=1.68, 95% CI: 1.19-2.35) and 62% (aPR=1.62, 95% CI: 1.15-2.29) higher prevalence of stress respectively compared to those got 7 to 9 hours of sleep daily. Having a chronic medical condition (aPR=1.13, 95% CI: 1.04-1.23) and having a family history of mental disorders (aPR=1.16, 95% CI: 1.06-1.27) were also found to be significant risk factors for stress. Conclusion and recommendation: Depression, anxiety and stress among minibus taxi drivers in Kampala are public health issues. There is need for routine screening for depression, anxiety and stress. The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Ministry of Works and Transport should hold campaigns to raise awareness on mental health and coping mechanisms plus enforce good occupational health practices among minibus taxi drivers.