ABSTRACT

Introduction: The work environment is one of the main causes of allergic rhinitis. The majority of vendors in Dakar work in places close to roads that are very frequented by vehicles, exposing them to increased air pollution. The study determined the prevalence of allergic rhinitis and its associated risk factors in these vendors. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey based on a structured questionnaire, conducted among vendors in the neighborhoods of HLM, Medina and Petersen in Dakar, Senegal. A total of 200 vendors were interviewed. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis were defined as the simultaneous presence of rhinorrhea, nasal congestion and sneezing in the absence of respiratory infection. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics, occupational factors, and allergic rhinitis. Results: Results of the study show a prevalence of 43% of allergic rhinitis among vendors. Multivariate analysis showed that the independent factors associated with allergic rhinitis in these vendors were age [OR: 3.28 (1.02 - 10.51)], working area [OR: 8.31 (2.39 - 28.95)], exposure to multiple sources of pollution [OR: 4.08 (1.43 - 11.63)], and recurrent cold [OR: 4.39 (1.15 - 16.85)]. Conclusion: The prevalence of allergic rhinitis was high among vendors in Dakar. Our data suggest that exposure to air pollution at the workplace in vendors could lead to allergic rhinitis.

Keywords:

Air Pollution, Traffic, Vendors, Allergic Rhinitis, Senegal

1. Introduction

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a major health problem, affecting many people from childhood to adulthood [1] . It affects 20% - 40% of the world’s population, although the prevalence varies with age and region [2] [3] . Rhinitis is characterized by nasal symptoms such as sneezing, rhinorrhea, itching or nasal congestion due to inflammation of the nasal mucosa [4] . Considered a minor respiratory disease, allergic rhinitis is often ignored, underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed or mistreated [5] [6] . In addition to respiratory symptoms, allergic rhinitis is often accompanied by symptoms involving the eyes, throat, and ears [4] [5] . However, these symptoms can affect work performance, the quality of daily life and the use of medical care [7] . The causes of the increase in the prevalence of allergic rhinitis remain to be determined. A variety of risk factors including socio-economic status, exposure to tobacco smoke, air pollution, birth during the pollen season, exposure to allergens has been associated with allergic rhinitis [8] [9] . In sub-Saharan Africa, the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) survey [10] showed the existence of allergic rhinitis with differences in prevalence between countries ranging from 7.5% in Ethiopia to 49% in Ivory Coast. This difference is also observed between urban and rural areas. Air pollution is suspected to be the cause of the increase in the prevalence of rhinitis in the urban areas. In the developing countries, air pollution from cars is the major contributor to urban air pollution. Road traffic generates pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), ozone (O₃), particles having an aerodynamic diameter of 10 μm or less (PM₁₀) and particles having an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 μm or less (PM_2.5) [11] [12] . These pollutants can induce oxidative stress and hyperreactivity of the airways. As a result, they increase allergic responses and inflammation of the respiratory tract [13] [14] [15] . Air pollution from cars is therefore a major risk factor for increasing the prevalence of allergic rhinitis. Globally, studies have shown associations between vehicle and industry emissions and an increased risk of allergic rhinitis [16] [17] . However, this association is not widely known in developing countries because the majority of epidemiological studies on air pollution from road traffic and allergic rhinitis are done in developed countries. In Senegal, a study carried out at the Pneumology Clinic in Dakar showed a prevalence of 8.2% of rhinitis, placing it in fourth place in all the pathologies seen in consultation [18] . Occupation is a known risk factor for allergic rhinitis [19] . In Africa, informal work accounts for more than 60% of urban employment. These workers in the informal sector do not receive any social protection for care [20] . They often spend long hours of work and confinement in cramped and unhealthy workplaces. Chronic respiratory diseases are one of the most common diseases among workers in the informal sector [21] . Workers in the informal sector are more exposed to air pollution and its effects on respiratory health by their work environment than formal sector workers. Thus, vendors most often located near roads with high traffic, are highly exposed to air pollution. In Senegal, occupational respiratory allergies, although established, are characterized by a lack of knowledge of their prevalence. In Dakar, a study of workers in formal sector companies showed a prevalence of respiratory allergies in 14.2% of which 7.5% suffered from rhinitis [22] . The purpose of this study is to obtain data on respiratory health status like allergic rhinitis among vendors highly exposed to air pollution in Dakar in order to advocate and adopt targeted strategies to protect them on the harmful effects of traffic air pollution. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of allergic rhinitis and its associated risk factors in vendors.

2. Methods

2.1. Study Design and Population

It was an analytical cross-sectional study in the neighborhoods of HLM (Habitats with low rent), Medina and Petersen, which include the largest markets in the city of Dakar (Senegal). The study took place in November and December 2016. These markets are located within 100 meters of roads that are heavily frequented by vehicles (Figure 1). Vendors who work near these high traffic roads have been invited to participate in this study. The size of the sample was calculated with the Schwartz formula adapted to cross-sectional studies [23] . The prevalence of allergic rhinitis among formal office workers in Dakar, which is 7.5%, was used to calculate the sample size. With a confidence interval of 95% and a margin of error of 5%, the smallest size to obtain a representative sample is

106 vendors. A proportion of 50% was added to the sample size to predict non-respondents. A final sample of 200 vendors was obtained.

2.2. Selection of Study Participants

Given the lack of registration of informal vendors in Dakar, a non-probabilistic sampling technique and was used to select vendors. Vendors in the HLM, Medina and Petersen markets located less than 50 m from high traffic roads were approached. Data were collected on weekdays except Sunday. As the markets in the different neighborhoods under study were about the same size, the 200 vendors were taken equally between the three study areas. Vendors who are at least 18 years old and have been in the trade for at least one year have been included in the study. Written and informed consent was requested from all participating vendors prior to their inclusion in the study.

2.3. Interviews

Three interviewers, who received complete training on the study and on the questionnaire, collected the data. Pre-tests of the questionnaire were carried out in the field outside the study areas before formal data collection began. The questionnaires were checked at the end of each daily collection by the investigators to check the data fill. Incomplete questionnaires were excluded from the data analysis. Data quality was assessed by random checks by the principal investigator.

The questionnaire included variables related to socio-economic characteristics, occupational factors and respiratory symptoms. A team of specialists in public health and pneumologists validated the questionnaire. The data collected was entered in the Epi Info software (version 7). A code has been assigned to participants to preserve the confidentiality of their data.

2.4. Operational Definition of the Study Outcome

Rhinitis was diagnosed in the presence of sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, postnasal discharge and constant itching of the eyes and nose [24] .

2.5. Anthropometric Measures

The anthropometric parameters measured are the weight (kg) and the size (m) using an electronic balance and a toise. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated by the weight (kg)/height (m²) ratio. A BMI greater than 25 Kg/m² was considered overweight.

2.6. Ethical Approval

Ethical approval was granted by the University of Cheikh Anta Diop Ethics and Research Committee, Dakar, Senegal. The code and date of ethical approval was Protocole 0090/2015/CER/UCAD, 08 January 2016.

2.7. Statistical Analysis

A descriptive analysis was first conducted to describe the variables of the study. The qualitative variables were expressed in proportions. Quantitative variables were expressed as mean and standard deviation. A bivariate analysis was performed to determine the association between rhinitis as a dependent variable and independent variables such as personal characteristics, occupational factors (place of work, number of years in the trade, exposure time, etc.) as well as the presence of respiratory symptoms. The chi-square test was used for the crossing of the dependent variable and the qualitative explanatory variables. The crossing of the quantitative variables with the dependent variable was done with the Student test. Independent variables with p < 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were included in the multivariate analysis following the postulate of Hosmer and Lemeshow [25] . A logistic regression was performed to determine the adjusted and unadjusted relationship between rhinitis and independent variables. Effects of the independent variables were adjusted for smoking status and education level. Odds ratios with their confidence intervals were obtained of the different categories of independent variables. In all statistical tests, the confidence interval was 95% and p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Statistical analyzes were carried out with software R (version 3.3.3).

3. Results

The mean age of the vendors was 31.9 years (SD = 10.2 years) and the majority of them had no education (58%). Most of vendors (59%) go to their workplaces by public transportation and 70% of vendors find that they are exposed to other types of pollution or road traffic. Vendors had an average of 8.9 years (SD = 7.7 years) of professional activity in the trade and worked on average 6.6 days (SD = 0.6 days) per week. The average daily working time for these vendors was 11.6 hours (SD = 2.2 hours). Smoking was found only in 4% of vendors (Table 1). Vendors reported respiratory symptoms such as recurrent cold, cough, wheezing at 84%, 30% and 10%, respectively (Table 2). Symptoms of allergic rhinitis were predominantly found in vendors such as sneezing (40%), nasal discharge (62%), nasal congestion (72%), and eye irritation (49%). Headaches were reported at 70% and wheezing at 10% by vendors. Allergic rhinitis was found in 43% of vendors (Table 2). Table 3 shows the bivariate analysis with the reported prevalence of allergic rhinitis according to several factors. Age is significantly associated with rhinitis (p = 0.02) with a higher prevalence in those less than 40 years. Vendors who are exposed to other types of pollution in addition to pollution from traffic have reported suffering more rhinitis with a significant association (p = 0.01). The working area and the number of hours worked per day are significantly associated with rhinitis with respective p-values of p < 0.001 and p = 0.001. Vendors who reported frequent respiratory symptoms such as cold, cough and sleep disorders had a high prevalence of allergic rhinitis with a significant association (p < 0.05). BMI is associated with allergic rhinitis with a signif-

Values in parentheses are percentages. Abbreviations: BMI, Body mass index; HLM: Habitats with low rent.

Values in parentheses are percentages.

*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001. Values in parentheses are percentages. Abbreviations: BMI, Body mass index; HLM: Habitats with low rent.

*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001.Values in parentheses are percentages.

icant p-value of 0.03. Gender, marital status, number of years in the trade and presence of wheezing were not significantly associated to allergic rhinitis (p > 0.05). Table 4 shows the logistic regression analysis of the association between the different variables (socio-occupational factors and symptoms) and allergic rhinitis. Age is a risk factor for allergic rhinitis. Vendors under the age of 40 have 3.28 times more risk of having allergic rhinitis than vendors over 40 years of age. Vendors exposed to several sources of pollution are 4 times more likely to have allergic rhinitis than vendors exposed to air pollution from road traffic [OR: 4.08 (1.43 - 11.63)]. The location of the working area is also a risk factor for

*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001. Abbreviations: BMI, Body mass index; HLM: Habitats with low rent.

allergic rhinitis. Thus vendors located in the neighborhood of Medina are 8 times more likely to have allergic rhinitis than those located at the HLM [OR: 8.31 (2.39 - 28.95)]. Vendors reporting respiratory symptoms such as cold and cough were 14 times [OR: 14.68 (1.32 - 163.23)] and three times more likely [OR: 3.23 (1.28 - 8.15)] to have allergic rhinitis than vendors without respiratory symptoms.

4. Discussion

The study aimed to determine the prevalence of allergic rhinitis and its associated risk factors in vendors who are highly exposed to air pollution from road traffic in Dakar city. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis found was 43% among vendors. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis reported in this study is close to that reported (43.6%) in adults who are highly exposed to air pollution from road traffic in Sweden [17] . The prevalence of allergic rhinitis in this study is high compared to that reported in Bogota (26.1%) in traffic police [26] and in a study done in Benin [27] among residents near busy roads with a prevalence of allergic rhinitis of 35.7%. Studies have shown higher prevalence of allergic rhinitis than those found in our study in workers with high exposure to outdoor air pollution in Nigeria (48.9%) [28] and Italy (48.5%) [29] . Consistent with previous studies, the prevalence of allergic rhinitis decreases with age [6] [30] . Similarly, prevalence among men and women does not differ [6] . The working area of the vendors is a risk factor for allergic rhinitis. Vendors located in the neighborhood of Medina had a higher prevalence of allergic rhinitis. The neighborhood of Medina includes several sources of pollution other than air pollution from road traffic. Vendors have reported other types of pollution sources such as the lack of an adequate sanitation system with the opening of septic tanks, bad odors and the presence of household waste. The road traffic in Medina is very dense because it includes the main avenues of Dakar city, and the market of Medina is very narrow and crowded. Air pollution has been shown to be one of the major environmental risk factors for allergic rhinitis [31] . A workplace near a high traffic road is also associated with allergic rhinitis [27] as found in our study. The fine particles, mostly derived from road traffic, are ultrafine size (<100 nm) and can be deposited in the nasal and peripheric airways. These fine particles induce oxidative stress and hyper-reactivity of the respiratory tract by increasing inflammation of the respiratory tract and allergic responses such as allergic rhinitis [15] . Vendors who had a long daily working time, had a higher prevalence of allergic rhinitis. This is due to the duration of exposure to air pollutants as shown by the study by Obaseki et al., 2014 [28] . Some studies showed that BMI is associated with the prevalence of allergic rhinitis. Our results are similar to the findings of these studies where people with allergic rhinitis have a higher BMI than those who did not suffer from allergic rhinitis [32] [33] . Overweight could have a role in the development of rhinitis [33] . Our results showed that the presence of chronic cough and recurrent cold were risk factors of allergic rhinitis. It

should also be noted that chronic cough and recurrent cold may be clinical manifestations of allergic rhinitis. Thus, allergic rhinitis has been shown to be an independent risk factor for chronic cough and that different processes may be involved in the association of allergic rhinitis with chronic cough [34] . Vendors who reported frequent respiratory symptoms and diseases had a higher prevalence of allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis is characterized by a recurrence of respiratory symptoms [4] , hence the greatest number of complaints of the frequency of occurrence of these respiratory symptoms in vendors suffering from allergic rhinitis.

Limitations of the study

Firstly, the design of this study is a cross-sectional study. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis found in this study may be higher than the actual prevalence since our results are based on the self-reported answers from the questionnaire. Secondly, the presence of indoor air pollution at the vendor’s household was not assessed in the questionnaire. It is known that indoor air pollution plays a role in the onset and exacerbation of allergic rhinitis. Thirdly, the level of exposure to air pollution has not been quantified by measuring devices in these vendors. However, the results are similar to the results of other studies, suggesting that air pollution from cars plays a role in the exacerbation or onset of allergic rhinitis. Lastly, the study was conducted from November to December 2017, in Senegal July to September fall in the dry season, while November to June falls humid season. It is possible, when data were collected during dry months with higher concentrations of pollutants, that vendors might have reported more respiratory symptoms.

5. Conclusion

This study found a high prevalence of allergic rhinitis among vendors in Dakar city. An association between factors related to occupation and allergic rhinitis was found among these vendors. Factors associated with the presence of allergic rhinitis in these vendors were the age, the working area with dense road traffic, the exposure to multiple sources of pollution and the presence and frequency of respiratory symptoms such as cold and cough. With the rapid and continuous urbanization process, more and more people are exposed to high levels of air pollution. Environmental control and public health strategies should be strengthened by health decision-makers to address this worrying problem. Vendors, who are highly exposed to air pollution from cars, should be sensitized and treated appropriately.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest in relation to this article.

Acknowledgements

We thank the International Development Research Centre (IRDC) for the financial support to this work. We would like also to thank the vendors for their time and valuable information that they provided for this study.

Cite this paper

Sylla, F.K., Faye, A., Fall, M., Lo, M., Diokhané, A., Touré, N.O. and TAL-DIA, A. (2017) Near-Road Exposure to Air Pollution and Allergic Rhinitis: A Cross-Sectional Study among Vendors in Dakar, Senegal. Occupational Diseases and Environmental Medicine, 5, 106-120. https://doi.org/10.4236/odem.2017.54010

References