Respiratory symptoms among auto rickshaw drivers of Mangaluru

ABSTRACT

Background: Auto rickshaw drivers spend their maximum time in polluted, dangerous, and very noisy environment. They are exposed to harmful pollutant gas such as carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide which can contribute to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, breathlessness, and chest pain. Objectives: The present study was aimed to estimate respiratory symptoms and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) among auto rickshaw drivers. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among auto rickshaw drivers working in Mangaluru. Information regarding sociodemographic profile, dietary habits, addictions, and working hours were collected, and respiratory examination along with PEFR estimation was done. Results: The maximum study participants were in the age group of 41–50 years, and 56.4% participants were working for >10 h per day. The main respiratory symptoms were breathlessness (28.7%) followed by cough (19.7%). Among 188 study participants, 61 (32.4%) had low PEFR. Conclusion: The respiratory symptoms are quite high among auto rickshaw drivers, and there is a need to increase awareness among them for the prevention of occupational disease.