Health and health management among motorcycle-based food delivery workers in South Korea: a qualitative interview study

PURPOSE: This study aimed to qualitatively examine the daily lives of motorcycle-based food delivery workers, focusing on how they experience, perceive, and interpret their health-related issues. METHODS: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with nine MFDWs in South Korea between July and September 2024 to explore their perceptions of health. Participants were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling, and data were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Thematic analysis revealed the following key findings: MFDWs' challenging working conditions posed physical and emotional stressors, which contributed to negligent driving and unhealthy habits. Although they recognized traffic accidents as the most critical health risk, they exhibited a tendency toward risky driving behaviors. Unhealthy lifestyles were linked to further health deterioration. While the majority showed a passive attitude toward health management, a few adopted individual strategies to maintain their health. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest the need for policy-level attention to mitigate traffic accident risk factors among MFDWs. Larger and more diverse studies are required to confirm these findings and to provide a stronger evidence base for policy recommendations. In addition, delivery applications could be further refined to help reduce occupational risks, and the development of tailored health promotion interventions may support their health and well-being.