Perceived health and well-being of migrant female street food vendors: a mixed - method study of vendor - consumer perceptions of informal street food economy in Chennai, India.

BACKGROUND

The phenomenon of migration has impacted a country's economy in significant ways. This study aims to understand the impact of migration on the health and well-being of migrant female street vendors through a mixed-method research design.

METHODS

The quantitative research focuses on statistical analysis of n = 40 responses from the consumers who purchase from the migrant female street food vendors. The qualitative research involves conducting interviews based on the Interpretive Phenomenological research method from four female migrant street food vendors in Urban Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

RESULTS

The statistical analysis of the six-item scale focusing on the health and well-being of the vendors yielded highly significant values (p < 0.005) and a Cronbach's Alpha value of (a = 0.75). The qualitative analysis resulted in three major themes, which focused on physical exhaustion, illnesses, and communication barriers observed through the vendor responses.

CONCLUSION

The qualitative and quantitative results were triangulated to provide findings that emphasized the need to understand and create policies that would enhance the overall quality of life of these migrant communities. These findings collectively aim to emphasize that the needs of Sustainable Development Goal 3, of Good Health and Well-being, in relation to the informal work sectors are efficiently met.