Women's Health Status Working at Traditional Marketplaces and Their Needs for Public Health Care Services

Abstract

Purpose:The purpose of this study is to analyze health status of women working in traditional marketplace and their needs for public healthcare services. Methods: A descriptive survey of 500 women working at three traditional marketplaces was conducted. Results: street vendors' health status were much poorer than store merchants'. Furthermore, psychosocial factors like job stress and depression were increased in street venders. Thus, the public healthcare programs required by them included exercise programs (28.2%) and health checkup (26.8%). In addition, 31.2% of the participants reported that they needed visiting nursing care services. The rate of occupational health and safety or employment insurances was as low as 10.8%. Conclusion: Effective interventions including psychosocial factors for women workers at traditional marketplaces need to be developed based on these results. Also, it is recommended that public health care services such as outreach services and visiting nursing care services for women working at traditional marketplaces be provided. Furthermore, institutional provisions such as insurances for protecting these vulnerable groups' health are needed.

Depressive Symptom and Related Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study of Korean Female Workers Working at Traditional Markets

“…In summary, this study found that depression among female workers at traditional markets is closely related to socio-demographic characteristics such as age, BMI, and nutritional status, work-related factors such as the work environment, job stress, and lower back pain, and psychosocial factors such as self-efficacy and social support, including family support. However, according to the previous study [ 45 ], 89.2% of women workers in traditional markets are not insured. Moreover, in the occupation safety and health acts of Korea, health managers must be mandatory in the case of workplaces with 50 or more employees, but this sub-group has not received systematic health management because of the absence of health managers and social consideration, despite being employed.…”

Development and Effectiveness of a Community Capacity Building Program for the Wellness of Traditional Marketplace Merchants: A Pilot Study

“…It is well known that merchants in the traditional market are exposed to poor working conditions, such as long working hours, musculoskeletal stress, lack of physical activity, irregular meal times, and nutritional imbalances [1]. The average age of Korean merchants in the traditional market as of 2018 was 56.8 years and the average daily working time was 10.4 h, indicating that they spend most of the day in their stores and markets [2].…”

Heavy Metal Distribution in Street Dust from Traditional Markets and the Human Health Implications

“…This is particularly so in traditional marketplaces where people work outside and are exposed to the dust throughout their working hours. A Korean survey of five hundred workers at traditional markets reported average working hours to be 11.1 h/day, longer than statutory working hours; the mean work experience was 19.0 years [ 17 ]. Moreover, this survey indicated the percentage of street vendors was almost 35% [ 17 ].…”

“…A Korean survey of five hundred workers at traditional markets reported average working hours to be 11.1 h/day, longer than statutory working hours; the mean work experience was 19.0 years [ 17 ]. Moreover, this survey indicated the percentage of street vendors was almost 35% [ 17 ]. Theses mean that market workers are vulnerable to heavy metal containing dust exposure.…”