Health risk reduction behaviors model for scavengers exposed to solid waste in municipal dump sites in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, Thailand

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of comprehensive health risk protection behaviors, knowledge, attitudes, and practices among scavengers in open dump sites. A control group of 44 scavengers and an intervention group of 44 scavengers participated in this study. Interventions included the use of personal protective equipment, health protection training, and other measures. The analysis showed significant differences before and after the intervention program and also between the control and intervention groups. These observations suggest that further action should be taken to reduce adverse exposure during waste collection. To reduce health hazards to workers, dump site scavenging should be incorporated into the formal sector program. Solid waste and the management of municipal solid waste has become a human and environmental health issue and future research should look at constructing a sustainable model to help protect the health of scavengers and drive authorities to adopt safer management techniques.

Life in a landfill slum, children's health, and the Millennium Development Goals

“…Further investigation will be required to understand the geographic variation of waste picking as a primary source of household incomes among regions and countries. The landfill is a hazardous place to work (Oyelola et al, 2001;Thirarattanasunthon et al, 2012), but it is also an economic opportunity for many, while also providing certain societal benefits. Recycling MSW can support sustainable communities and is a well-established business in developed (high income) countries (Sicular, 1992;Beukering and Bouman, 2001).…”

“…Waste pickers do not necessarily live in the poorest slums, but they are still considered to be a vulnerable population in terms of poverty (Torun et al, 2006). Landfill slum residents are reported to lack education, access to improved sources of drinking water, and sanitation facilities (Oyelola et al, 2001;Rankokwane and Gwebu, 2006;Thirarattanasunthon et al, 2012).…”

“…In addition to these conditions, there are injuries resulting from on the job exposures and accidents (e.g. fires, explosions, and slides from waste piles), which include joint and spinal cord damage, wounds, cuts, bruises, and damage to the eyes and ears (Kungskulniti et al, 1991;Oyelola et al, 2001;Thirarattanasunthon et al, 2012).…”

“…In turn, the reduction of poverty can result by working towards the other MDGs. MDG 2, achieving universal primary education, addresses the lack of primary education reported for landfill slum residents and MDG 7, ensuring environmental sustainability, relates to access to improved drinking water sources and sanitation facilities (Oyelola et al, 2001;Rankokwane and Gwebu, 2006;Thirarattanasunthon et al, 2012), together these three MDGs link to the health related goals of MDG 4, reducing child mortality, and MDG 5, improving maternal health.…”

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“…(Agunwamba et al, 1998;Longe et al, 2009;Nabegu, 2012). According to Thirarattanasunthon et al (2012); Butu and Mshelia (2014), studies have also shown that uncollected waste have contributed to flooding, breeding of insects and rodents vectors which spread diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, lassa fever, diarrhoea, dysentery, schistosomiasis, etc. (Asbor and Edjere, 2016).…”