Social vulnerabilities of female waste pickers in Brasília, Brazil

Marques, Carla Pintas; Zolnikov, Tara Rava; Noronha, Juliana Machado de; Angulo-Tuesta, Antonia; Bashashi, Morteza; Cruvinel, Vanessa Resende Nogueira

doi:10.1080/19338244.2020.1787315

Cited by 24 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…According to primary care policy in Brazil, all people with noncommunicable diseases should be monitored by a Family Health Strategy Team and receive all medications for free. 8 In 2011, Brazil developed the Strategic Action Plan for Coping with Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases, with the objective of promoting the development and implementation of effective, integrated, sustainable and evidence-based public policies for prevention, control, and care of NCDs and their risk factors. 29 Unfortunately, this program focuses on home visits and because waste pickers are away from home working in the dumpsite, they are not covered by this prevention program.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 30 Waste pickers are part of an informal industry, and do not have access to social benefits, including insurance 31 , 32 making it difficult for them to seek and receive the care they need. 8 Moreover, lack of education is a barrier to assessing risks and poverty (e.g., inability to pay for services) can also contribute to disease proliferation. 31 , 32 Interestingly, a novel aspect that arose from this research concerned religious beliefs, as most participants believed that prayer could assist in healing.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 3 , 5 , 6 , 7 Unfortunately, waste pickers frequently do not receive healthcare treatment for these exposures and adverse health effects that they experience. 8 Access to healthcare in Brazil may be even more difficult due to social disparities in vulnerable populations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Brazil currently operates under a universal health care model that also allows citizens to purchase private insurance to supplement existing coverage. 8 The substantial health disparities in Brazil are highlighted by the fact that 45% of the adult population has reported having at least one noncommunicable disease. 10 Noncommunicable (chronic) diseases (NCDs) can affect a person's quality of life, impact economic stability, and reduce the ability to live independently.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Qualitative Study on Noncommunicable Diseases in Waste Pickers in Brazil

Zolnikov

Cruvinel

Lopez

et al. 2021

Journal of Health and Pollution

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Background. Noncommunicable chronic diseases are associated with multiple risks factors and negative outcomes that are long-lasting and difficult to treat. Some populations may be at greater risk because of their socioeconomic status, lack of healthcare, environment, and poor work and living conditions. Informal waste pickers may experience higher levels of chronic diseases and often do not have access to care to manage symptoms. Objectives. The aim of the present study was to understand the prevalence of chronic diseases in waste pickers, along with perceived associated risks and available treatments. Methods. A qualitative study was conducted, using interviews with 24 waste pickers who worked at Estrutural dumpsite in Brasilia, Brazil which was historically the second largest open-air dumpsite in the world. Results. Participants believed their commonly experienced chronic diseases were a result of working in the open-air dumpsite. Chronic diseases commonly noted in the interviews included hypertension, chronic pain, respiratory disease, diabetes, and kidney problems. Participants discussed self-medication or prescribed medication used to treat their conditions. Most participants had varying beliefs regarding prevention strategies to reduce disease; some ideas for prevention focused on religion, fate, and God when discussing outcomes related to illnesses. When answering questions regarding ideal working conditions to help prevent diseases, participants responded by expressing a desire for protective gear (e.g. PPE) which could help mitigate hazards associated with the dump. Conclusions. Recyclable collectors were aware of occupational hazards to which they were exposed and associated noncommunicable chronic diseases but lacked education on the importance of preventive measures and access to healthcare services. The findings of the present study confirm the need to strengthen intersectoral actions to protect and uphold the health rights of this vulnerable population. Participant Consent. Obtained Ethics Approval. This study was approved by the Research and Ethics Committee of the Health School of Brasília University under Opinion n. 1.517.670/2016. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

A Qualitative Study on Noncommunicable Diseases in Waste Pickers in Brazil

Zolnikov

Cruvinel

Lopez

et al. 2021

Journal of Health and Pollution

Self Cite

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“…Preliminary learnings from our review of the literature highlight waste workers' position among the most disenfranchised, marginalized, and oppressed communities in India (5). Women waste workers, in particular, experience excessive discrimination and precarity, shouldering multiple burdens arising from gendered division of labor and informal work arrangements, having inadequate access to sexual and reproductive health opportunities and care, and being invisible in existing leadership spaces (6)(7)(8)(9).…”

Section: What We Foundmentioning

confidence: 99%

Isolation in COVID, and COVID in Isolation—Exacerbated Shortfalls in Provision for Women's Health and Well-Being Among Marginalized Urban Communities in India

Josyula

Murthy

Karampudi³

et al. 2022

Front. Glob. Womens Health

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This paper describes the lived experiences of health seeking, health care recourse, and well-being of women waste pickers, a highly marginalized sub-population in urban areas in India, highlighting the intersectionality of gender, socioeconomic and cultural contexts, and occupational hazards that they face, as studied by a research team engaged in participatory action research with waste workers in urban India. We note the impact of the superimposition of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the restrictions on movement and access to livelihoods, social support, and health care, and policies made and enforced in a fragmented manner, on the already deprived conditions of the waste pickers. We reflect on the women waste pickers' practices of health seeking, their access to health care, the provisions made for them and made use of by them, and the support they could tap in protecting and restoring their health. A range of these experiences is illustrated through three case studies. Finally, recommendations are made for better provision for women's health and well-being, and improved preparedness for emergency situations.

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