Prevalence, incidence and risk factors of respiratory disorders among public transport workers.

Abstract

Respiratory disorders have been on the increase in urbanized areas and worldwide. To understand the risk factors of respiratory disorders among public transport workers, this study analysed the results from answered questionnaires to determine the prevalence, incidence and risk factors for respiratory disorders among public transport workers. This analysis used data from 351 respondents who are members of the Operators and Driver’s Association (ODA). The predominant characteristics of the respondents are young adult, married men, with low income, living in the semi-urban area, are high school graduates, non smoker and non alcohol drinker, with a family history of asthma, no record of radiograph assessment, driving a public utility vehicle for 6 years and above and engage in routine exercise. In general, the prevalence and incidence of respiratory disorders are low, which implies that the respondents are not susceptible to respiratory disorders and that, the characteristics of the public transport workers do not contribute to the risk factors of respiratory disorders. As a result of the obtained findings, the study concluded that it is then important to enhance the primary level of prevention so as to sustain the health of the public transport workers and occurrence of respiratory disorders among them will be prevented.