An epidemiological cross sectional study to assess the socio demographic profile of rag pickers in an urban slum

Abstract

Background: Most studies report that waste pickers constitute disadvantaged and vulnerable segments of the population. Third World waste pickers face multiple hazards and problems. Due to their daily contact with garbage, waste pickers are usually associated with dirt, disease, squalor, and perceived as a nuisance, a symbol of backwardness, and even as criminals. They survive in a hostile physical and social environment. Sometimes scavengers face extreme animosity and violence. The present study was carried out to assess the demographic distribution and assess health profile and health status of rag pickers in an urban slum.Methods: The cross-sectional study includes 240 adult population from the urban slum of one of the metropolitan city in India and study was carried out over a period of one year from January 2014 to December 2014. Results: It was seen that out of 240 people interviewed for the study majority were females (60%) and the rest were males. The majority of the subjects were illiterate (83.7%) and a majority of them were Buddhists (58%) by religion. Most of them belonged to the lowest socio-economic class (85.2%). Most of them complained of the following problems like inadequate sanitation, addictions of smoking (100%), alcohol intoxication (69%). Conclusions: From the following study it was seen that the majority of the rag pickers were illiterate, malnourished, most of them worked in this occupation only for monetary basis, lived in conditions of bad sanitation, and had many requirements from the government like good sanitation and rehabilitation to other jobs. Background: Most studies report that waste pickers constitute disadvantaged and vulnerable segments of the population. Third World waste pickers face multiple hazards and problems. Due to their daily contact with garbage, waste pickers are usually associated with dirt, disease, squalor, and perceived as a nuisance, a symbol of backwardness, and even as criminals. They survive in a hostile physical and social environment. Sometimes scavengers face extreme animosity and violence. The present study was carried out to assess the demographic distribution and assess health profile and health status of rag pickers in an urban slum.Methods: The cross-sectional study includes 240 adult population from the urban slum of one of the metropolitan city in India and study was carried out over a period of one year from January 2014 to December 2014. Results: It was seen that out of 240 people interviewed for the study majority were females (60%) and the rest were males. The majority of the subjects were illiterate (83.7%) and a majority of them were Buddhists (58%) by religion. Most of them belonged to the lowest socio-economic class (85.2%). Most of them complained of the following problems like inadequate sanitation, addictions of smoking (100%), alcohol intoxication (69%). Conclusions: From the following study it was seen that the majority of the rag pickers were illiterate, malnourished, most of them worked in this occupation only for monetary basis, lived in conditions of bad sanitation, and had many requirements from the government like good sanitation and rehabilitation to other jobs.

Exploring the Lives of Women Rag Pickers in an Indian Metropolitan City: A Mixed-Methods Cross-Sectional Study on Social and Occupational Determinants Shaping Their Existence

“…This information is crucial for understanding the burden of morbidity and tailoring healthcare interventions to address their specific health needs. Similar types of signs and symptoms were observed in several studies that highlight the issue to address and consider this vulnerable group to cover under comprehensive primary health care [4][5][6]11,12]. There were several studies indicating the need to address their health needs due to psychological vulnerability due to their work environment and financial constraints.…”

“…Rag pickers engage in the random sorting and collection of refuse, then vending their findings to scrap merchants in exchange for monetary compensation, which depends upon the weight and categorisation of the waste materials [4]. Despite the significance of rag picking in terms of resource recovery and waste management, it is predominantly undertaken by underprivileged people, namely, women, due to the limited availability of alternative employment options [5].…”

Untold Stories from the Slums: A Qualitative Exploration of the Lives of Female Informal Waste Workers

“…Rag pickers engage in the informal sorting and gathering of discarded items, subsequently selling their ndings to scrap merchants in exchange for monetary compensation, which is determined by the weight and classi cation of the materials . Despite the importance of rag picking for resource recovery and waste management, it is predominantly carried out by marginalized individuals, particularly women, due to the limited availability of alternative employment opportunities (Jajulwar et al, 2017).…”