Street pulse: Unveiling the health mosaic - exploring physical health, mental wellness, and quality of life among street vendors.

Background: In India, street vending remains an essential aspect of the informal economy as it serves as a source of employment and opportunities for livelihood to a substantial portion of the population. This study aimed to evaluate the physical health, mental health, and quality of life of the street vendors.

Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the 422 individuals residing in the street vending job in the areas of Chennai, Chengalpattu, and Kanchipuram districts. The research study employed a purposive sampling method to carefully select a representative sample of street vendors. Physical Health Questionnaire (PHQ-14), the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-Bref) was used to collect the data. Descriptive and inferential analysis was done using the statistical software IBM SPSS Statistics 24.

Results: Males are more prevalent in street vending compared to females. Over 98% of street vendors were against passing their jobs to their children. The most common medical disorders among street vendors were diabetes, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, and asthma. 51% had poor physical health, 22% experienced depression, 23% anxiety, and 39% stress. Age, marital status, educational status, place of residence, and occupation were identified as the primary risk factors associated with the health outcomes of this population.

Conclusion: The primary factors contributing to individuals becoming street vendors include a lack of educational opportunities, reliance on family businesses, high unemployment rates, and economic hardship. Street vendors experienced significant physical health challenges, along with mild-to-moderate mental health problems, which ultimately impacted their overall quality of life.