Occupational Health Conditions and Associated Factors Among Municipal Solid Waste Collectors in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background

Municipal solid waste collection is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. It exposes the workers to physical, biological, and chemical hazards, and occupation-related morbidities. In developing countries, municipal solid waste management-related occupational morbidities are not properly addressed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate occupational health conditions and associated factors among municipal solid waste collectors in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Materials and Methods

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 576 municipal solid waste collectors in Addis Ababa from August 2019 to September 2019. To select the study participants, a multistage sampling technique was used. The data were collected by using a structured interviewer administered questionnaire. The association between the dependent and independent variables was analyzed using binary logistic regression analysis at 95% confidence interval and variables with P-value<0.05 were considered as statistically significant to the dependent variable.

Results

A total of 576 municipal solid waste collectors participated in the study, which makes the response rate 96.9%. Among the total municipal solid waste collectors, 295 (51.2%) of them had occupational health symptoms. Work experience (AOR=1.86, 95% CI=1.01–2.18), family size (AOR=1.76, 95% CI=1.15–2.71), personal protective equipment (AOR=2.31, 95% CI=1.32–4.04), and working hours per day (AOR=1.76, 95% CI=1.22–2.68) were significantly associated with occupational health conditions.

Conclusion

The magnitude of occupational health symptoms among municipal solid waste collectors in Addis Ababa was high. Work experience, working hours per day, type of PPE, and family size were significantly associated with occupational health conditions. Therefore, providing appropriate and full body cover personal protective equipment, giving training, monitoring working hours, and conducting studies including medical evaluation is crucial.

Keywords:

• municipal waste
• waste collectors
• occupational health
• health conditions
• Addis Ababa
• Ethiopia

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank GAMBY Medical and Business College, Addis Ababa City Administration Solid Waste Management Agency, Sub-Cities, data collectors, supervisor, and study participants for their collaboration and contribution.

Abbreviations

AAHB, Addis Ababa Health Bureau; AAMSWMA, Addis Ababa Municipal Solid Waste Management Agency; EFMHACA, Ethiopian food, Medicine and Health care Administration and Control Authority; FMOH, Federal Ministry of Health; HEWs, Health extension workers; OH, Occupational health; MSW, Municipal solid waste; MSWCs, Municipal solid waste collectors; SPSS, Statistical Product and Service Solutions.

Data Sharing Statement

All the data and materials are available in the manuscript.

Ethics Approval and Consent to Participate

As our institutions do not have the mandate to provide ethical clearance for research, ethical clearance was obtained from GAMBY Medical and Business College Ethical Review Board. Then a formal letter was written from the college to Addis Ababa City Administration Solid Waste Management Agency, and official permission obtained from Sub-Cities Beauty and Sanitation Agency offices. This study was conducted under technical support and supervision of GAMBY Medical and Business College. The study was also conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent was taken from the study participants and all information was kept confidential.

Consent to Publish

Consent for publication was taken from the study participants during data gathering.

Author Contributions

Both authors meet the ICMJE criteria for co-authorship, providing substantial intellectual contributions for the manuscript. Both authors made substantial contributions to the conception and design, acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; took part in drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content; agreed to submit to the current journal; gave final approval of the version to be published; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors have no competing interests.

Additional information

Funding

The authors received no funding for this research.