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A Study Protocol to Assess the Respiratory Health Risks and Impacts amongst Informal Street Food Vendors in the Inner City of Johannesburg, South Africa

Author

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  • Maasago Mercy Sepadi

    (Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Cnr Sherwell and Beit Street, John Orr Building, 7th Floor, Doornfontein Campus, Doornfontein, Johannesburg 2094, South Africa)

  • Vusumuzi Nkosi

    (Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Cnr Sherwell and Beit Street, John Orr Building, 7th Floor, Doornfontein Campus, Doornfontein, Johannesburg 2094, South Africa
    Environment and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Johannesburg 2094, South Africa
    School of Health Systems and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 001, South Africa)

Abstract

The overall unemployment rate in South Africa was impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which led many people to resort to informal work such as street trading opportunities in big cities. However, this work is located in the same cities where air pollution is of concern. Furthermore, literature has indicated the lack of regulation of the informal trading sector as compared to the formal sector. An analytical cross-sectional study is proposed to be conducted amongst all of the informal food street vendors (indoor/inside buildings and outdoor/street pavements stalls) in the inner city of Johannesburg, South Africa. By adopting a total sampling method of 746 vendor stalls, this study’s key focus is on inhalation as an occupational exposure. In addition, the study aims to assess the respiratory risk factors amongst informal food street vendors’ stalls and their impact on vendors’ respiratory health. The risk factors to be assessed include the five common air pollutants: street vendor’s infrastructure; socioeconomic factors; personal behavior such as tobacco smoking and handwashing practices; wearing of respiratory protective equipment; and vendors’ exposure duration. The data collection will follow three phases using quantitative methods. In the pre-assessment phase, it will include a pilot study to test the walkthrough survey checklist and the respiratory symptoms and diseases questionnaire. The assessment phase includes a total of eight area samples, which will be taken in a 1-day event over four yearly seasons, as well as thirty personal samples taken in winter over an 8-h work shift. The post-assessment phase will be the development of a risk impact assessment and a risk management model. The study is essential for healthy occupational conditions as indicated in the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act (no. 85 of 1993) and the Regulations governing general hygiene requirements for food premises, the transport of food, and related matters (no. R638 of 22 June 2018).

Suggested Citation

  • Maasago Mercy Sepadi & Vusumuzi Nkosi, 2021. "A Study Protocol to Assess the Respiratory Health Risks and Impacts amongst Informal Street Food Vendors in the Inner City of Johannesburg, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-13, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11320-:d:666696
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. R Kok, 2014. "Street Food Vending and Hygiene Practices and Implications for Consumers," Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, AMH International, vol. 6(3), pages 188-193.
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    Cited by:

    1. Maasago Mercy Sepadi & Vusumuzi Nkosi, 2023. "Personal PM 2.5 Exposure Monitoring of Informal Cooking Vendors at Indoor and Outdoor Markets in Johannesburg, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-12, January.

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