MONTHLY PROGRESS REPORT (MONTH 2)

1. OBJECTIVES PROPOSED FOR MONTH 2

2. ACTIVITIES COMPLETED DURING MONTH 2

2.1 Field Data Collection – Initiated and Ongoing ✅

• Field data collection was formally commenced at pre-identified urban vending zones within the study area, in accordance with the approved study protocol.
• A structured, pre-validated questionnaire was administered to participants through trained field investigators. The questionnaire captured sociodemographic profile (age, sex, education, income, duration of vending, vending site characteristics), occupational exposure history, self-reported ENT symptoms (hearing difficulty, nasal symptoms, throat complaints, tinnitus, dizziness), lifestyle habits (smoking, tobacco use, alcohol), and use of personal protective equipment.
• Field investigators underwent structured training prior to data collection to ensure standardization and minimize interviewer bias.
• Data quality checks and daily supervisory review of filled CRFs were instituted to ensure completeness and accuracy of records.

2.2 Participant Recruitment – Ongoing ✅

• Recruitment of eligible urban street vendors was initiated from designated vending zones as per the sampling strategy outlined in the protocol.
• Inclusion Criteria applied: Urban street vendors aged 18–60 years, working at traffic-exposed vending sites for ≥ 6 hours/day and ≥ 1 year, willing to provide written informed consent.
• Exclusion Criteria applied: Vendors with pre-existing documented ENT conditions (prior to commencement of street vending), those on ototoxic medications, and those unwilling to participate.
• Written informed consent was obtained from each enrolled participant prior to data collection, in the participant's preferred language, ensuring ethical compliance as per the approved ICMR/IEC guidelines.
• The recruitment process is ongoing with progressive enrollment toward the target sample size.

2.3 ENT Screening Camps – Conducted ✅

• Clinical ENT screening camps were organized at field sites in coordination with local administrative authorities and vendor associations.
• Each participant underwent a structured ENT examination including:
  • Ear: Otoscopy (external auditory canal, tympanic membrane assessment), whisper test / tuning fork tests (Rinne's and Weber's test) for preliminary hearing assessment
  • Nose: Anterior rhinoscopy for nasal mucosal condition, septal assessment, turbinate status
  • Throat: Oropharyngeal examination including tonsils, posterior pharyngeal wall, laryngoscopic assessment where indicated
• Examination findings were recorded in pre-designed Case Record Forms (CRFs) by qualified ENT specialists/medical officers.
• Preliminary clinical findings have been documented and are being compiled for further analysis.
• Referral protocol was followed for participants requiring detailed audiometric evaluation or specialist intervention.

2.4 Environmental Noise Assessment – Conducted ✅

• Ambient noise levels were measured at selected vending sites using a calibrated digital Sound Level Meter (SLM) conforming to IEC 61672-1 standards.
• Measurements were recorded as equivalent continuous sound level (Leq in dB(A)) during peak traffic hours and off-peak hours to capture exposure variability across the day.
• GPS coordinates of measurement points were documented for mapping and spatial analysis.
• Measurements were recorded at multiple time points (morning, afternoon, evening) over multiple days to obtain representative exposure estimates.
• Collected noise exposure data will be correlated with ENT clinical findings as part of the analytical framework.
• Observations were also made regarding other mixed air pollutants (vehicular exhaust, dust, particulate matter) at vending sites, consistent with the concept of Mithya-Yoga of Dhuma-Raja-Vata, for qualitative documentation.

3. OBJECTIVES: PROPOSED VS. ACHIEVED

4. PROGRESS SUMMARY

5. CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED / OBSERVATIONS

• Some vendors were initially hesitant to participate due to work-hour constraints; this was addressed by scheduling screenings during early morning or late afternoon hours to minimize disruption to vending activity.
• Variability in ambient noise levels across different vending sites noted; multi-time-point measurements instituted to improve representativeness.
• Coordination with local civic authorities for smooth conduct of screening camps required additional administrative effort but was successfully managed.

6. PLAN FOR MONTH 3

7. FINANCIAL STATEMENT (MONTH 2)

8. REMARKS

1. Objectives Proposed for Month 2 — Converted into a structured table with descriptions for each objective
2. Activities Completed — Each activity now includes specific clinical methods (Rinne's/Weber's test, otoscopy, anterior rhinoscopy), instrument standards (IEC 61672-1 SLM), questionnaire domains, sampling criteria, and field logistics
3. Proposed vs. Achieved Table — A clear comparison table showing all 4 objectives were achieved/ongoing
4. Challenges & Observations — A new practical section documenting real-field issues and how they were addressed
5. Month 3 Plan — Expanded from 4 bullet points to a 6-point structured action plan with specific targets (e.g., ≥60–70% sample size enrollment)
6. Financial Statement Table — Template included for institutional financial reporting
7. Signature Block — Formal PI and institutional countersignature section added for official submission