Background. Poor economic situations in developing nations had made scavenging a means of livelihood for millions of youth and women across the globe. Lack of proper source segregation of wastes in developing countries has increased the potential for the transmission of pathogens like Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). Objectives. This study addressed issues relating to waste scavenging, the potential risk in waste scavenging work and seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C Virus and its relationship with wastes scavenging among wastes scavengers in Kwara State. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among the scavengers working for major scrap dealers in the three senatorial districts of Kwara State. Consequently, to accomplish the objectives, both primary and secondary data sources were used. The primary data were collected via questionnaires, interviews, blood test and field observations. Whereas the secondary data were extracted from different published and unpublished materials. 240 respondents were administered with questionnaires and undergone hepatitis surface antigen test for both hepatitis B and C in nine of the sixteen local government area in the state. The data were analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS version 23) for descriptive and inferential at 5% level of significance. The prevalence of an HBV and HCV infection biological markers (HBsAg and HCsAg) and their associations with exposure to bio-medical waste, socio-demographic factors, and history of occupational injuries was examined. Results. The seroprevalence of HBV and HCV infection among the scavengers were found to be 8.3% and 5% respectively indicating that scavengers are at risk of HBV and HCV infection. Conclusions. It was discovered that there are incidences of Hepatitis B and C virus co-infection among scavengers. Also, awareness and compliance to the usage of PPE was found to be an important factor for protection scavengers against the virus. Therefore, vaccination against HBV, enforcement of usage of PPE, good hygiene practices, regular trainings on occupational safety, proper monitoring by regulatory agency and inclusion of scavengers in mandatory health insurance scheme will help to control risk of HBV and HCV infection among scavengers.

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Background Solid waste management in Nigeria has been a major concern to stakeholders due to inefficient collection and unsafe disposal. In Ilorin, the capital of Kwara state, the problem of wastes is becoming alarming because the more these wastes are evacuated the more they are generated on a daily basis. Thus, the issue of central storage of solid waste situation in Ilorin to say the least, is becoming quite distressing. Objectives. This study addressed issues relating to waste management and perception of residence to central waste storage in Ilorin metropolis. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among the residents in the three local government that constitute Ilorin metropolis, residents living close to central wastes storages in Ilorin metropolis are purposively chosen and the registered wastes contractors with the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWASEPA). In accomplishing these objectives, both primary and secondary data sources were used. The primary data were collected via questionnaires and field observations. Secondary data were extracted from different published and unpublished materials. 120 households located on the main road and close to central wastes storage bins and 30 wastes contractors are administered with questionnaires. The data were analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS version 23) for descriptive and inferential at 5% level of significance. Results. The operational capacities of wastes contractors showed a low capacity as 66.7% (20) operate with single rickety truck. Dumpsites accessibility and insufficiency is an impediment as the dumpsite was found to be too far and largely inaccessible. Condition of wastes spillage from the central storage and storage on the road meridians are draw backs to effective wastes management and majority of respondents 66.7% are unhappy. Conclusions It was discovered that central wastes storage system in Ilorin metropolis was not effective with constant incidence of wastes spillages and storage on road meridians. Therefore, capacity and competence should be considered in wastes management contract award, provision of more central wastes storage, establishing wastes transfer station, provision of adequate dumpsites at different local government, public enlightenment, regular trainings for wastes consultant, provision of loans for wastes consultants for acquisition of trucks and proper monitoring by regulatory agency will ensure a clean and sanitary environment in the metropolis.

For the past few decades, environmental pollution is considered a major global problem for public health and this problem has continued to impact aquatic environment. Pharmaceutical discharges are major sources of pollution that poses serious threat to aquatic animals like fish, therefore, this work aimed at evaluating the histological architecture of the gill tissues of Clarias gariepinus on exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of pharmaceutical effluents using standard laboratory procedure. The physicochemical characteristics of the pharmaceutical effluent used revealed varied level of deviations from World Health Organization standard for waste discharge into any categories of water bodies. The histological studies of the sectioned gills of the exposed fish showed varied level of histological alterations which are concentrations dependent. The observed histopathological lesions recorded include infiltration of secondary lamellae, inter-lamellae hyper plastic lesion, and oedema, congestion of the blood vessels, epithelial thickening and lifting, and necrosis of various degrees. All the fish held in the control stock showed inappreciable or no histological degradation and their staining patterns and cellular arrangement remained unaffected and this showed that even low concentration of such effluent is enough to induce physiological imbalances in aquatic organisms. The degrees of all these recorded anomalies were concentration dependent. Therefore, indiscriminate disposal of this effluent is detrimental to aquatic community and to combat this, strict compliance of the laws with total vigilance against illegal discharge of effluent should be enacted and enforced.