Author(s)

Fatou K. Sylla^1*, Adama Faye¹, Mamadou Fall², Masse Lo³, Aminata Diokhané⁴, Nafissatou O. Touré⁵, Anta TAL-DIA¹

¹Institute of Health and Development—Public Health and Preventive Medecine, Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD), Dakar, Senegal.
²Laboratory of Toxicology and Hydrology, Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD), Dakar, Senegal.
³Institute of Leadership and Development (ILD), Dakar, Senegal.
⁴Air Quality Management Center of Dakar (CGQA), Dakar, Senegal.
⁵Pneumology Clinic CHU-Fann, Dakar, Senegal.

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.

Air Pollution, Traffic, Vendors, Allergic Rhinitis, Senegal

Sylla, F. , Faye, A. , Fall, M. , Lo, M. , Diokhané, A. , Touré, N. 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. doi: 10.4236/odem.2017.54010.