Health Outcomes among Roadside Shopkeepers using Face Mask

Abstract

Background: Air pollution is considered to be one of the most prominent environmental pollution mostly seen in industrialized towns and mega/urban cities. Hazardous compounds due to the degrading quality of air results in negative health effects among the most exposed and vulnerable population. Objective: This study aims to see the role of wearing mask by the vendors on dust pollution caused by road construction exposure and to assess the proportion of roadside shopkeepers who wear protection (face mask) for ambient air pollution while at work Method: A cross sectional study among 300 participants both mask users and non-mask users was conducted from May 2017- June 2017. Standard questionnaire was used to answer the demographic questions, questions related to the exposure and questions related to the outcome. Data was analyzed using Stata/SE version 12.0. Results: Among the 300 participates, 52% were mask users and 48% were non-mask users. However, among the non-mask users, the proportion of having respiratory health outcomes was found to be lower (45.45%) in comparison to the mask users (54.55%). Participants who worked within (1.1m- 6m) from the data collection time resulted in adjusted odds ratio (6.20, 1.03- 37.29), significant at confidence interval 95% and p <0.05. The mask usage and respiratory health outcomes varied according to the duration of exposure. Conclusion: Hence, the usage of mask was not found to be of protective measure from the dust pollution caused by road construction exposure.