The effect of dietary antioxidant on lung function in pedicab during the COVID-19 pandemic

Rickshaw drivers have a high risk of respiratory disease, especially in the COVID-19 pandemic which is very risky to the respiratory system. The purpose was to determine the effect of antioxidant intake in food on the lung function of pedicab drivers in Surabaya. This study was a cross-sectional design, in May-July 2019. The variables of this study were lung function value and intake of foods containing antioxidants (vitamins A, C, and E). The research respondents were pedicab drivers in the Surabaya area. The method used a structured interview method, used the 24-hour recall method. The chi-square test was used to determine whether there was a difference between the value of lung function and the classification of intake of vitamins A, C, and E. The respondents of this study were 62 people with decreased lung function, and 62 people without decreased lung function. there were only 6 respondents who had vitamin A intake per day, while as many as 108 respondents had less level of vitamin A intake per day (87.10%). While the intake of vitamins C and E was still at a lower level in all respondents (100%). The average intake of vitamins A, D, and E on holidays was higher than on weekdays. Vitamin A intake has been shown to affect lung function. There was had significant relationship between dietary vitamin A intake and lung function in FEV1/FVC value. In addition, further research is needed to determine other dietary factors and other lifestyles to be able to maintain the quality of lung health for pedicab drivers.