Working conditions and respiratory health of informal food vendors´ in Johannesburg, South Africa : a cross-sectional pilot study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION : informal vendors are among the most deprived sections of the informal sector. The daily and prolonged exposure to biomass fuel and outdoor air pollution is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in this industry. METHODS : a cross-sectional pilot study was conducted among 100 informal vendors at 38 indoor (inside buildings) and outdoor (roadside or street) vendor, stalls within Johannesburg, South Africa. The purpose of the pilot study was to determine the suitability of the data collection tools for the main study, which included the walkthrough survey checklist and the previously validated respiratory questionnaire by the British Medical Research Council. Furthermore, it was to obtain a snapshot of demographic profile, occupational risk factors, and respiratory symptoms among informal vendors. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0. RESULTS : there were more roadside vendors, often exposed to air pollutants, as compared to vendors inside buildings. Most vendors in the study had access to water. The hygiene status in and around stalls was found to be below acceptable standards. Most were female vendors (63%), with an average age of 25-34 years. Fifty-five percent of the stalls sold cooked food; with most selling meat (58%) and porridge (55%). Most vendors worked more than 8 hours (73%) a day. Female vendors also noted cooking at home, reflecting an increased risk of exposure. Twenty-six percent of the vendors lived nearby heavily trafficked roads and 20% lived near large industrial pollution sources. Smoking vendors were 12% and 35% experienced passive smoking. The results reflected an improper respiratory protective equipment usage, with 54% using cloth masks, and 73% reporting changing of masks at least three times a week. Upper respiratory symptoms were most prevalent in cooking vendors, with no report of chronic diseases. CONCLUSION : therefore, we conclude that occupational health management is required in improving the workplace conditions and eliminating illness and disability related to work in this industry; thus ensuring the business's operations and stakeholder involvement are strengthened.