ArticleIndian journal of occupational and environmental medicine
High Prevalence of Chronic Respiratory Symptoms among Autorickshaw Drivers of Urban Puducherry, South India.
Article in Indian journal of occupational and environmental medicine. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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5 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 12 citations in OpenAlex.
- Prevalence of COPD among population above 30 years in India: A systematic review and meta-analysis.Journal of global health · 2021Pooled it
- Poor treatment outcomes of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and their associated factors among admitted patients in East Gojjam, 2023.Frontiers in medicine · 2024Article
- The prevalence of stress, stressors and coping mechanisms and the socio-demographic factors associated among the auto-rickshaw drivers in Bengaluru city, India.Journal of family medicine and primary care · 2021Article
- Chronic respiratory disease surveys in adults in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic scoping review of methodological approaches and outcomes.Journal of global health · 2021Article
- Impact of a Clinical Pharmacist Intervention on Medicine Costs in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in India.PharmacoEconomics - open · 2020Article
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Authors and funding
7 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
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No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
contextAuto-rickshaw (three wheelers open cabin type of vehicle) drivers are exposed to traffic air pollution. Studies have demonstrated reduced pulmonary function among drivers. However, limited studies have determined the prevalence of chronic respiratory symptoms or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among drivers.
aimsAmong auto-rickshaw drivers of urban Puducherry to determine prevalence of (i) chronic respiratory symptoms by using Indian Study on Epidemiology of Asthma, Respiratory Symptoms, and Chronic Bronchitis (INSEARCH) questionnaire and (ii) COPD by measuring peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). SETTING AND DESIGNS: Cross-sectional, descriptive study. SUBJECTS AND
methodsCluster random sampling was used to select 297 auto-rickshaw drivers. Subjects were interviewed using the INSEARCH questionnaire. PEFR was measured using Wright's peak flow meter. We also assessed exposure to tobacco smoke. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Prevalence and 95% confidence interval of chronic respiratory symptoms and COPD were calculated.
resultsAll the auto-rickshaw drivers were male, and 75% were in the age group of 31-50 years. They spend most of the time on the roadside either driving or waiting at the auto-stand. Prevalence of nonspecific respiratory symptoms among auto-rickshaw drivers was 76% (breathlessness on exertion 68%, cough at night and phlegm in the morning 22%, wheezing 18% assessed for last 12 months). Around 28% of them had PEFR <80%. The prevalence of tobacco smoking was also high (64%), and 100% had exposure to tobacco smoke at the workplace.
conclusionThe nonspecific chronic symptoms were high among auto-rickshaw drivers as compared to the general population noted from a multicentric study done in India. We recommend that auto-rickshaw drivers should use personal protective equipment and would require regular screening and treatment for respiratory impairment.
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