The level of compliance with sanitary–hygienic norms in public transport

Abstract

Introduction. The large number of people concentrated in the urban area of our country leads to complexity of traffic congestion therefore creating non hygienic micro-environments for each vehicle of public transport in use. As a result some of the main problems become: poor air quality, dirty surfaces, lack of individual space and a great probability of catching an airborne disease (Meningitis, Chicken pox, Tuberculosis (TB), Influenza, Whooping Cough). But, is there any regulation that monitors this problem and what is the attitude of the population towards the existing situation? In the past 6 years (2010 – 2016), the indices of passengers turnover in the public transport increased by 27%. Also, the statistics offered by the National Bureau of Statistics (BNS) show a growth in the total number of transported passengers. Aim of the study. To evaluate the level of compliance with sanitary-hygienic norms in public transport, to create a detailed picture of the current situation in the Republic of Moldova, and evaluate the connection between poor medical-sanitary services in public vehicles and an increased number of airborne diseases. Also, this research allows us to identify the gaps in existing regulations and come up with proposals and adjustments in a legal context. Materials and methods. The study is only focused on the public transport provided within the capital of Moldova. In order to find out about the awareness of the direct beneficiaries and their attitude towards the current existing situation, a questionnaire was created. The questionnaire was administered in the form of an online survey to public transport users from Chisinau. Results. A total number of 135 responses were received. 30 % of all the people use the services of public transport more than 15 times per week. 32 % of the survey participants think the public transport units do not respect the hygienic norms at all, and 56% have avoided using a unit of public transport because of hygienic reasons the main reason being the lack of cleanliness in the transport unit. The study shows that the current state of the hygiene in public transport units in Moldova is bad and the direct beneficiaries are not pleased with the compliance with sanitary – hygienic norms in vehicles. Conclusions. A primary objective of the Government of the Republic of Moldova should be developing regulations on public transportation infection control that involve technologies of decontamination for drivers, operators and that help maintain safe and clean environments for the transportation industry. The number of public transport units might be increased and the old vehicles should be excluded from use in traffic. The population should also be informed more about good hygiene practices through diverse activities in order to educate a set of values that help in preventing the spreading of airborne diseases.