RESPIRATORY HEALTH EFFECTS AMONG FEMALE STREET FOOD VENDORS IN MANSOURA CITY, EGYPT

Abstract

Introduction: Street vendors work daily selling their goods on the sidewalks along the streets and seldom have breaks .They are considered the most working groups that are at the highest risk of exposure to air pollution as they usually work for long hours and are continuously exposed to inevitable: adverse weather conditions, atmospheric and road dust, vehicular emissions and air pollutants from industrial and other sources, resulting in a wide range of adverse respiratory health effects. Aim of work: To assess the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and the effect of outdoor work environment on pulmonary functions measurements among female street food vendors in Mansoura city. Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried upon (152) stationary female street food vendors in Mansoura city during the period from August to December 2017. The sample size was calculated using MedCalc program version18. Data was collected using a questionnaire included sociodemographic characteristics, occupational and medical histories focusing on the respiratory symptoms in the last 12 months. Clinical examination and measurement of the pulmonary functions were done. Results: There was a high prevalence of respiratory symptoms among street food vendors in the last 12 months (86.2%). The mean observed values of FEV1 and FVC were statistically significantly lower than their predictive values and the mean observed values of FEV1/FVC % were statistically significantly higher than their predictive values. Conclusion: Street vendors are at high risk of respiratory symptoms and impaired pulmonary functions. Bronchial asthma ranked the first disorder for the respiratory system (18.4%) among street food vendors followed by chronic bronchitis (7.9%).