Reliability of an adult respiratory symptom questionnaire in a community located near a mine dump in South Africa : pilot study

BACKGROUND : Pretesting a questionnaire is an important activity before the start of the main epidemiological study. AIM : The study tested the reliability (internal consistency) of the modified ATS-DLD-78 adult respiratory diseases questionnaire developed by the British Medical Research Council. RESULTS : The questionnaire was found to be reliable and admissible with an overall Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of α = 0.74. CONCLUSION : The questionnaire is a reliable instrument for data collection and can be a useful tool for collecting data in a developing country. The questionnaire will be used to study the association between respiratory and cardiovascular diseases among older people and community’s proximity to mine dumpsThe Mine Health Safety Council of South Africa (SIM 100801)http://www.sajei.co.za/index.php/SAJEIam2016School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH

Personal PM2.5 exposure monitoring of informal cooking vendors at indoor and outdoor markets in Johannesburg, South Africa

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : All data in this study were provided in the main manuscript.Please read abstract in article.The University of Johannesburg (UJ) Faculty of Health and the UJ 2021/2022 Global Excellence Stature, Fourth Indus-trial Revolution (GES 4.0) Scholarship.http://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerphSchool of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH)SDG-03:Good heatlh and well-beingSDG-11:Sustainable cities and communitie

Strengthening urban informal trading and improving the health of vendors : an integrated management model

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT: All data in this study were provided in the main manuscript.CONTEXT: Within the urban areas, especially the central business districts, informal trading is growing in large numbers, and the informal vendor’s health is also at risk. Despite various frameworks developed for this industry, there are few guidance and implementation strategies on how to accomplish better-managed informal trading, mostly one that entails better occupational settings. OBJECTIVE: The goal of the proposed model is to improve the working conditions for informal vendors in South Africa by redesigning the current informal trading management approach, thus ensuring a healthy workplace. An evidence-based approach was used to inform the development of this model. RESULTS: This paper outlines the current challenges of informal vendors in urban areas as per the quantitative health risk assessment study that was conducted in 16 markets amongst 617 informal food vendors in the inner city of Johannesburg, South Africa. The study investigated the respiratory health caused by air pollution and associated risk factors. Findings revealed a lack of infrastructure and higher exposure to air pollution, resulting in respiratory ill-health amongst outdoor vendors as compared to indoor vendors. The vendors were more exposed to particulate matter pollution in the spring and winter seasons as compared to the autumn and summer seasons. Furthermore, the upper respiratory symptoms were statistically significant to the type of work location (indoor/outdoor), type of cooking fuel, duration of work, frequency of hand hygiene, and wearing of protective equipment. An informal vendors’ integrated management model that encompasses a specific informal food vendor’s directorate was developed with five main components: the reviewing of informal vendors’ legislation, the restructuring of designated vending or trading sites, space allocation and occupancy, vendors‘ training and skills development, and the sustainability of vending sites and vendors’ health. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The status revealed the legislation fragmentation of the informal vendors’ activities. The goal of this informal vendors’ “healthy workplace management model” is to inform government responses to the current challenges of the informal vendors’ sector, as well as to guide policies and actions to reduce ill-health in the industry and to avoid disruptions to informal food supply chains, which are critical in the food sector. This model is explained well and documented for easier implementation in local governments. This paper contributes to the extant literature on street vendors and future management strategies of this trade.The University of Johannesburg (UJ) Faculty of Health and the UJ 2021/2022 Global Excellence Stature, Fourth Industrial Revolution (GES 4.0) Scholarship.http://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerphSchool of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH)SDG-03:Good heatlh and well-beingSDG-08:Decent work and economic growt

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

TABLES AND FIGURES : TABLE 1: socio-demographic parameters of informal food vendors (N=100). TABLE 2: indoor (inside buildings) and outdoor (roadside) vendors´ work exposure factors. TABLE 3: respiratory symptoms of informal food vendors. FIGURE 1: cooking mediums used by vendors.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.https://www.one-health.panafrican-med-journal.comam2023School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH

Health risk assessment of informal food vendors : a comparative study in Johannesburg, South Africa

All data in this study were provided in the main manuscript.Please read abstract in article.University of Johannesburg (UJ) Faculty of Health and the UJ 2021/2022 Global Excellence Stature, Fourth Indus-trial Revolution (GES 4.0) Scholarship.http://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerphSchool of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH)SDG-03:Good heatlh and well-beingSDG-08:Decent work and economic growthSDG-11:Sustainable cities and communitie

Environmental and occupational health exposures and outcomes of informal street food vendors in South Africa : a quasi-systematic review

Informal street vending is a form of informal employment, and occupational conditions for people within this group have been proven to be detrimental to their health. Two independent reviewers carried out a systematic evaluation of the existing literature in South Africa on environmental and occupational exposures, as well as the health effects faced by informal street food vendors. Methods: 354 published publications were reviewed and 9 were included, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Results: The evidence showed that informal street vendors are exposed to workplace risks that affect their health and wellbeing. Non-enclosed vendor stalls and frequent use of open fires were among the risk concerns. Vendors are vulnerable to gastrointestinal diseases such as salmonellosis and respiratory infections such as influenza and COVID-19 due to inadequate access to water, waste disposal facilities, and basic hygiene awareness and practices. Exposure to air pollutants increased the risk of respiratory and urinary illnesses and an impact on the reproductive health of female street vendors. Conclusions: This investigation demonstrated the difficulties in complying with the requirements of the Regulations Governing General Hygiene Requirements for Food Premises, the Transport of Food, and Related Matters (no. R638 of 22 June 2018) and the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act (no. 85 of 1993). Within South African borders, there is a scarcity of research on occupational exposures and health effects in this occupation. As a result, eliminating or preventing these occupational exposures should be at the top of government and stakeholder agendas. The majority of the research was carried out in KwaZulu Natal and used a quantitative, cross-sectional technique. Other designs, including cohorts, time series, and randomized intervention trials, were underutilized.The first author received a supervisor-linked bursary from the University of Johannesburg (UJ) Faculty of Health and the UJ 2021 Global Excellence Stature, Fourth In-dustrial Revolution (GES 4.0) Scholarship.https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerphSchool of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH

Indoor and outdoor PM10 levels at schools located near mine dumps in Gauteng and North West Provinces, South Africa

BACKGROUND : Few studies in South Africa have investigated the exposure of asthmatic learners to indoor and outdoor air pollution at schools. This study compared outdoor PM10 and SO2 exposure levels in exposed (1–2 km from gold mine dumps) and unexposed schools (5 km or more from gold mine dumps). It also examined exposure of asthmatic children to indoor respirable dust at exposed and unexposed schools. METHODS : The study was conducted between 1 and 31 October 2012 in five schools from exposed and five from unexposed communities. Outdoor PM10 and SO2 levels were measured for 8-h at each school. Ten asthmatic learners were randomly selected from each school for 8-h personal respirable dust sampling during school hours. RESULTS : The level of outdoor PM10 for exposed was 16.42 vs. 11.47 mg.m−3 for the unexposed communities (p < 0.001). The outdoor SO2 for exposed was 0.02 ppb vs. 0.01 ppb for unexposed communities (p < 0.001). Indoor respirable dust in the classroom differed significantly between exposed (0.17 mg.m−3) vs. unexposed (0.01 mg.m−3) children with asthma at each school (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION : The significant differences between exposed and unexposed schools could reveal a serious potential health hazard for school children, although they were within the South African Air Quality Standards’ set by the Department of Environmental Affairs. The indoor respirable dust levels in exposed schools could have an impact on children with asthma, as they were significantly higher than the unexposed schools, although there are no published standards for environmental exposure for children with asthma.The Mine Health Safety Council of South Africa (MHSC) and National Research Fund – Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (NRF – DAAD).http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmcpublichealtham2017School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH

Chronic respiratory disease among the elderly in South Africa : any association with proximity to mine dumps

BACKGROUND : There is increasing evidence that environmental factors such as air pollution from mine dumps, increase the risk of chronic respiratory symptoms and diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between proximity to mine dumps and prevalence of chronic respiratory disease in people aged 55 years and older. METHODS : Elderly persons in communities 1-2 km (exposed) and 5 km (unexposed), from five pre-selected mine dumps in Gauteng and North West Province, in South Africa were included in a cross-sectional study. Structured interviews were conducted with 2397 elderly people, using a previously validated ATS-DLD-78 questionnaire from the British Medical Research Council. RESULTS : Exposed elderly persons had a significantly higher prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and diseases than those who were unexposed., Results from the multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that living close to mine dumps was significantly associated with asthma (OR = 1.57; 95% CI: 1.20 – 2.05), chronic bronchitis (OR = 1.74; 95 CI: 1.25 – 2.39), chronic cough (OR = 2.02; 95% CI: 1.58 – 2.57), emphysema (OR = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.11 – 2.77), pneumonia (OR = 1.38; 95% CI: 1.07 – 1.77) and wheeze (OR = 2.01; 95% CI: 1.73 – 2.54). Residing in exposed communities, current smoking, ex-smoking, use of paraffin as main residential cooking/heating fuel and low level of education emerged as independent significant risk factors for chronic respiratory symptoms and diseases. CONCLUSION : This study suggests that there is a high level of chronic respiratory symptoms and diseases among elderly people in communities located near to mine dumps in South Africa.Additional file 1: Table S1. Prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms and diseases in relation to independent variables in all 11-study communities located 1-2 km and ≥5 km from mine dumps in Gauteng and North West provinces, South Africa during November-December 2012.Additional file 2: Table S2. Crude odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals of chronic respiratory symptoms and diseases in all 11-study communities located 1-2 km and ≥ 5km from mine dumps in Gauteng and North West provinces, South Africa during November-December 2012.Additional file 3: Table S3. Adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals of chronic respiratory symptoms and diseases in all 11-study communities located 1-2 km and ≥5 km from mine dumps in Gauteng and North West provinces, South Africa during November-December 2012.The Mine Health Safety Council (MHSC), National Research Fund – Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (NRF - DAAD) and the University of Pretoria (UP).http://www.ehjournal.netam201

Occupational noise-induced hearing loss prevalence and noise abatement techniques in a steel-making plant

BACKGROUND : A high prevalence of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is observed amongst employees in the steel manufacturing industry. OBJECTIVE : To determine the prevalence of NIHL and current noise abatement techniques implemented at a steel manufacturing plant. METHODS : Structured questionnaires were completed by permanent employees at a steel-manufacturing plant for the purpose of collecting information on occupational and medical histories, noise exposure in and outside the work environment, use of hearing protection devices (HPDs), and current noise abatement procedures. A walk-through survey was also conducted to observe implemented noise abatement techniques using the Noise Induced Hearing Loss Regulations of 2003 as a guideline. RESULTS : A total of 17.9% of workers suffered from NIHL (95% CI 11.8% - 22.5%). Administrative controls, lubrication and mufflers were identified by more than 70% of the respondents as control procedures most often implemented by the company. Most of the respondents (77%) used HPDs always and 97% indicated that they fit their HPDs at the beginning of the shift. CONCLUSION : NIHL remains a significant health problem in this steel industry despite the implementation of noise abatement techniques and the implementation of a noise conservation programme with all the required elements.University of Pretoriahttp://www.occhealth.co.zahb201

Comorbidity of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases among the elderly residing close to mine dumps in South Africa : a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND. Pollution arising from mine dumps in South Africa (SA) has been a source of concern to nearby communities. OBJECTIVE. To investigate whether comorbidity of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases among elderly persons (≥55 years) was associated with proximity to mine dumps. METHODS. Elderly persons in communities 1 - 2 km (exposed) and ≥5 km (unexposed) from five preselected mine dumps in Gauteng and North West provinces in SA were included in a cross-sectional study. RESULTS. Exposed elderly persons had a significantly higher prevalence of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases than those who were unexposed. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that living close to mine dumps was significantly associated with asthma + hypertension (odds ratio (OR) 1.67; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22 - 2.28), asthma + pneumonia (OR 1.86; 95% CI 1.14 - 3.04), emphysema + arrhythmia (OR 1.38; 95% CI 1.07 - 1.77), emphysema + myocardial infarction (OR 2.01; 95% CI 1.73 - 2.54), emphysema + pneumonia (OR 3.36; 95% CI 1.41 - 7.98), hypertension + myocardial infarction (OR 1.60; 95% CI 1.04 - 2.44) and hypertension + pneumonia (OR 1.34; 95% CI 1.05 - 1.93). CONCLUSION. Detrimental associations between comorbidity of the health outcomes and proximity to mine dumps were observed among the elderly in SAWe thank everybody who participated in the questionnaire interviews, Mr Moses Kebalepile and all the fieldworkers who assisted in data collection, the data technicians for the data capturing, and Statistics South Africa for providing the population sizes of elderly people in each study community.The Mine Health Safety Council, the National Research Fund – Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst and the University of Pretoria.http://www.samj.org.zaam2016School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH