The health risks of informal waste workers in the Kathmandu Valley: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract

To describe the health and occupational risks of informal waste workers (IWW) in the Kathmandu valley and explore factors associated with not using personal protective equipment (PPE). Study Design A cross-sectional survey of IWWs. Method Data was collected on the health and occupational risks of adult IWWs working on waste sites in the Kathmandu Valley and in the adjacent Nuwakot District, Nepal in November 2017, through convenience sampling. Using a standardized health assessment questionnaire, face to face interviews were undertaken to record sociodemographic data, indicators of general and occupational health, data on healthcare access and use, physical risks, perception of occupational risks and use of PPE. Associations between use of PPE and gender, age, education, country of origin, injury and perception of occupational risks were examined using multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results In 1278 surveyed IWWs, prevalent physical risks included injuries (66.2% in the previous 12 months) and the main reported symptoms were respiratory in nature (69.9% in the previous 3 months). Most prevalent injuries were glass cuts (44.4%) and metal cuts (43.9%). Less than half of IWWs (46.8%) had been vaccinated against Tetanus and 7.5% against Hepatitis B. 72.5% of IWWs considered their work as 'risky', but 67.6% did not use PPE. Non-use of PPE was independently associated with male gender (odds ratio [OR] 2.19; p <0.001), Indian origin (OR 1.35; p=0.018), older age (OR 2.97 for over 55 years old; p=0.007) and low perception of occupational risks (OR 2.41; p<0.001). Low perception of occupational risk was associated with older age (55+ years) and lack of receipt of information on the risks. Conclusion IWWs are at increased risk of injury in their work, yet are poorly protected in relation to vaccine-preventable infections and work wear. The results suggest that information is important in relation to perception of occupational risk, which in turn is associated with the use of PPE. There is a need for policymakers and public health practitioners to have a robust understanding of the needs and vulnerabilities of this group, as well as identify effective interventions that can be taken to safeguard the health and welfare of IWWs.

Medical and healthcare waste generation, storage, treatment and disposal: A systematic review of risks to occupational and public health

“…The lowest lifetime prevalence of 3.4% reported by Black et al (2019) was observed in a comparatively large sample of waste pickers in Nepal and the highest lifetime prevalence (61.6%) was reported by Afon (2012) in a study of waste pickers working in Nigeria. The large range could be a result of differing medical waste disposal practices in each country whereby infectious medical waste is separated and disposed of separately in one country, reducing exposure to informal collectors, and frequently co-disposed in another.…”

“…But, also the fact that HIV transmission risk is just 0.3% compared to HCV which is 3% and HBV which is 33% (Cheng et al, 2017). (Afon, 2012;Black et al, 2019;Chokhandre et al, 2017;Cunningham et al, 2012;Parizeau, 2015;Patwary et al, 2011a).  Particular risk to medical waste handling specialists in the informal recycling sector with four sources indicating the practice (Patwary et al, 2011a;Stringer, 2011;Taghipour and Mosaferi, 2009;Unicomb et al, 2018).…”

Selected Morbidities among Workers of an Adhesive Plaster Industry in Goa

“…14 Similar findings were reported by Suri et al in their study among workers among manufacturing sector of India. 15 The workers in such chemical processing industries may have shift works leading to irregular food intake and may usually be exposed to heat stress during mechanical operations which might be the reason behind the development of diabetes mellitus as pointed out by Black et al 16 Chemical agents may cause hearing loss when acting alone or in interaction with the noise. Audiometry findings in our study revealed that 3% of the workers had mild to moderate hearing loss.…”

Knowledge, Practices, and Environmental and Occupational Health Risks Associated with Electronic Waste Recycling in Cotonou, Benin

“…Few recyclers are aware of the possible links between their activities and environmental pollution, as well as with diseases they might get [7]. For example, studies by Ohajinwa, Van Bodegom [13] and Black, Karki [15] showed that few recyclers wear PPE in their daily activities.…”