Determinants of respiratory and cardiovascular health effects in traffic policemen: A perception-based comparative analysis

Abstract

This study investigates the determining factors behind the adverse health effects of traffic policemen in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. A comparative analysis between 532 traffic policemen (subject population) and 150 office workers (control group) was undertaken to study the prevalence of disease. A primary survey was conducted over a period of 6 months between July 2015 and February 2016 using a questionnaires a primary tool. A significantly higher (p=0.005) prevalence rate of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases was observed among traffic policemen than among the office workers (control group). Symptoms such as thick sputum, pain in joints and shortness of breath were prevalent in approximately 59%, 56% and 45% of subjects as compared to approximately 15%, 11% and 6% of the control population. The relative risk (RR) of developing respiratory and cardiovascular diseases was found to be significantly higher (RR>1) for the traffic policemen than for the office workers. This is the first cross-sectional study to highlight the plight of traffic policemen in the NCT of Delhi. The influence of factors such as body mass index (BMI), age, habits (smoking and alcohol consumption) and service duration on disease prevalence was assessed among traffic policemen using statistical tests. The service duration was found to be the most important determinant compared with other influencing factors such as BMI and age, which significantly (p=0.02) affects the health of traffic policemen in the present study. A number of potential measures for improving the health conditions of traffic policemen are also discussed.