METHODOLOGY

Study design: Descriptive cross-sectional study

Study population: All the shopkeepers from Sinamangal to Putalisadak

Study area: Sinamangal road to Putalisadak road

Sampling Technique:

Study site:

Sample size: Estimated sample size is (P= 0.5, Q= 0.5, d= 0.05, N= )

Data Collection tools: Structured Questionnaire and interview guidelines

 Spirometer to measure the forced expiratory volume to check lung diseases like asthma

Beck Anxiety Inventory for the assessment of work related anxiety

Data collection technique: Self-administered questionnaire

Data processing and analysis: SPSS and MS Excel

Validity and reliability:

- Data analysis was done by SPSS windows version

- Supervision and guidance from the faculties

Sampling criteria:

Inclusion criteria:

- Only the shopkeepers of Sinamangal road to Putalisadak road valley were chosen.
- Both male and female shopkeepers were taken as samples.

Exclusion criteria:

- Those who deny giving consent or responding were excluded from the study

Ethical considerations:

- Written consent was taken from each respondent explaining the purpose of the study.
- Assurance of confidentiality of information.
- Dignity of the respondents was highly considered.
Questionnaire on health effect of road construction on shopkeepers from Sinamangal to
Putalisadak:

Signature of the Participant

Demographic characteristics:

S.N. Questions Coding categories Skip to

1. Age Years
2. Sex 1.Male
2.Female
3. Ethnicity 1. Brahmin
2. Chettri
3. Newars
4. Others (specify) …….

4. Religion 1. Hindu
2. Muslim
3. Buddhist
4. Christian
5. Educational Status 1. Literate
2. Secondary
3. Higher Secondary
4. Graduation
Questionnaire:

S.N. Questions Coding categories Skip to

1. How long have you 1. <2 years
been working on this 2. 2-5 years
job? 3. >6years
2. How many hours do 1. <5 hours
you work in a day? 2. 5-10 hours
3. 11-15 hours
4. >15 hours
3. Do you go for 1. No If yes, go to
periodic health 2. Yes question 4
checkup?
3.1. If no, why?
……………………..

4. During your working 1. No If yes, go to

hours, do you use 2. Yes question 5
protective equipments
(Glasses, Masks)
4.1. If no, why?
……………………..

5. Do you frequently 0. No
feel your ears ringing? 1. Yes
6. Do you have blocked 1. No
sensation in your 2. Yes
ears?
7. Are your eyes often 1. No
irritated and burning? 2. Yes
8. Do you feel your eyes 1. No
are sensitive to light? 2. Yes
9. In the past 3 months, 1. No If no, go to
did you ever feel 2. Yes question 11.
ache, pain or any
discomfort in any
parts of your body?
9.1. If yes, which part? 1.Neck
2. Shoulder
 3. Elbow
4. Wrist
5. Lower back
6. Upper back
7. Hip/Thigh
8. Knee
9. Legs

10. In the past 6 months, 1. No If no, go to

did you face 2. Yes question 12.
respiratory problems?
10.1. If yes, what? 1.Coough and wheezing
2. Pharingitis
3. Rhinitis
4. Difficulty in breathing
5. Others

11. How do you define 1. I am highly satisfied with

your self-rated job my job.
satisfaction? 2. I am satisfied with my job.
3. I am ok with my job.
4. I am highly dissatisfied with
my job.
12. Do you think your 1. No
business is affected by 2. Yes
the road construction?
13. If yes, then in what ……………………………
ways? ……………………………
……………………………

Statement of the problem:

The project “Kathmandu Valley Road Improvement Project (KVRIP)” was started in
Septemeber 2007 by GoN. (1)
Rationale of the study:

Occupational health and safety has been an emerging issue worldwide. Talking about the health
of the shopkeepers, on daily basis, they are exposed to the hazards like dust, smoke, extreme
climate changes, noise and also likely to be subject to anxiety and mental stress.

Talking about our country Nepal, specifically Kathmandu, all major and minor roads of the
valley is being constructed which has caused a massive rise in air pollution which directly affects
shopkeepers.(1) Here, occupational health and safety is a far cry. Since effects of road
construction on shopkeeper and their health are highly neglected, this study is expected to
highlight the issue.

Research Question:

1. What are the health problems faced by the shopkeepers?

2. What are the practices done by shopkeepers regarding road construction to
prevent any health effects?

Research Objective

General Objective:

- To study the health effects of road construction on shopkeepers from Sinamangal to

Putalisadak.

Specific Objectives:

- To determine the prevalence of physical health problems among shopkeepers.

- To assess the prevalence of work related anxiety among the shopkeepers.
- To know the practices regarding the safety of the occupational hazards shopkeepers.

Study Variables:

Dependent Variable: Health problems among traffic police

A. Physical health problems:

 - Respiratory problems
- Hearing problems
- Eye and Vision problems
- Musculoskeletal problems

B. Mental Health
- Work related anxiety

Independent Variables:

A. Service factors:
- PPE
- Periodic medical checkup

B. Personal factors
- Age
- Duration of work
- Working hours per day

Expected outcome of the study:

After the completion of the study, it is expected that the overall information on the health status
and the health problems faced by the shopkeepers due to the ongoing road construction can be
seen and it might also help in the policy formation.
Conceptual framework:

The descriptive cross- sectional study on the health effects of road construction on shopkeepers
from Sinamangal to Putalisadak aims to ensure the sound health status of shopkeepers and
increase their knowledge and understanding on occupational health and safety.

The prolonged exposure of shopkeepers to unsafe working environment without protection leads
to different health problems including hearing problems, problems in the eyes and eventually
leading to occupational stress, anxiety and depression and many more. Also, the negative effects
on their business play a major role in these mental factors.

The study variables would be use of PPE, periodic medical checkup, hearing and eye problems,
work related anxiety and depression, personal factors (age, working hours per day, as well as
knowledge on PPE and health effects)

- PPE
- Periodic medical
checkup
- Age
- Years of work
- Working hours per
day
Health effects of Work
road related
construction on anxiety
shopkeepers

- Hearing problems
- Loud noise - Problems in the eyes
- Smoke - Musculoskeletal
- Extreme climate problem