Global Journal of Medical Research, L: Nutrition & Food Science, Volume 22 Issue 2

Assessment of Body Mass Index (BMI) and General Health Status of Male Auto-Rickshaw Drivers in Garia, Kolkata Dr. Sampa Mitra 1 where, z=value of the standard normal distribution corresponding to 95% confidence=1.96; 39 Year 2022 Global Journal of Medical Research Volume XXII Issue II Version I ( D ) L © 2022 Global Journals s = z 2 pq d 2 Abstract- Background: In India, auto-rickshaw is one of the main modes of public transport in urban and semi-urban areas; however, auto-rickshaw drivers often suffer from various nutritional deficiencies. Objective: The objective of this work is to assess the body mass index (BMI) and the general health status of the auto- rickshaw drivers of the Garia Southern Avenue auto-rickshaw stand (in Kolkata). Method: To achieve this objective, a cross-sectional study has been undertaken, whereby data have been collected in February-July 2018, regarding duration of work, nature of addiction, ownership pattern, general clinical status, BMI and body fat percentage, of 157 male auto-rickshaw drivers, attached to the aforesaid stand, and belonging to the age- group of 18-55 years. Subsequently, the binomial test has been conducted at 5% level of significance. Results: The test results show that a significant number of auto-rickshaw drivers: (a) work for a long time (>8 hours/day but ≤12 hours/day), (b) are addicted to tobacco (both smoking and chewing forms), but not alcohol, (c) own the auto-rickshaw, (d) enjoy good health (except the occurrence of caries), and (e) have normal or higher than normal BMI and body fat percentage. Hence, this study shows that a significant number of auto-rickshaw drivers, attached to the aforesaid auto-rickshaw stand, have not-so-bad economic condition, and enjoy good health (except the occurrence of caries), despite long hours of work and addiction to tobacco; however, there is a possibility that, either they are overweight/obese currently, or they have a tendency towards being overweight/obese in the near future. Keywords: auto-rickshaw driver, Kolkata, body mass index, health status, binomial test, cross-sectional study. I. I ntroduction n India, auto-rickshaw is one of the main modes of public transport in urban and semi-urban areas. In Kolkata also, auto-rickshaw services are there. However, auto-rickshaw drivers often suffer from various occupational hazards. Their lifestyle is not quite conducive to health, and they often experience irregularity of meals, among other things (1). Prolonged hours of work often leads to insufficient sleep and less physical activity (2). Besides, often there is a high prevalence of smoking and drinking among the auto- rickshaw drivers. All these factors may contribute to various health-related problems. Author: Director-Professor, Deptt. of Epidemiology, AIIH & PH, Kolkata. Current Residential Address: BB-35/5, Salt Lake City, Kolkata-700064. e-mail: sampamitra2003@yahoo.co.in I The objective of this work is to assess the body mass index (BMI) and the general health status of the auto-rickshaw drivers of the Garia Southern Avenue auto-rickshaw stand (in Kolkata). And, for this assessment, the binomial test has been conducted at 5% level of significance. Before undertaking this study, a brief literature survey has been conducted. It has been found that a number of researchers have worked on the social condition, the economic status, and the health picture of the auto-rickshaw drivers in various cities of India. However, studies on the status of the auto-rickshaw drivers of Kolkata, are comparatively rare, and whatever articles I have come across, on this topic, do not cover the general health status of the auto-rickshaw drivers. As for example, one such work (by Agarwal et al.) focuses on the high prevalence of low back pain among the auto-rickshaw drivers of Kolkata (3). Now, the general health status of the auto-rickshaw drivers of Kolkata, is an important component of medical research, from which one may be able to draw significant and interesting inferences. And, this paper attempts to shed some light on this topic. II. M aterials and M ethods It is a cross-sectional study conducted between February 2018 and July 2018, on 157 male auto- rickshaw drivers, belonging to the age-group of 18-55 years; these drivers are attached to the Garia Southern Avenue auto-rickshaw stand. (The necessary research and ethical clearances have been taken from the institution to which I was attached during the study.) Only those auto-rickshaw drivers who are willing to participate, have been included in this study; and before inclusion, the nature and the purpose of the study have been explained to them in detail. In other words, informed consent has been taken from the auto- rickshaw drivers before including them in the study. The sample size (s) has been calculated according to equation-1: