Medwave (Jul 2020)

A cross-sectional study on the environmental culture and occupational health of informal waste pickers in Lima, Peru

  • Kelly Myriam Jiménez-de-Aliaga,
  • Mónica Elisa Meneses-La-Riva,
  • Brenda Esther Gutiérrez-Orellana,
  • Nérida Gladys Rey-Córdova,
  • Josefina Amanda Suyo Vega,
  • Jorge Luis Aníbal Baldárrago-Baldárrago,
  • Liz Maribel Robladillo-Bravo,
  • Lenin Iván Jiménez-Sánchez

DOI
https://doi.org/10.5867/medwave.2020.06.7952
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 20, no. 06
pp. e7952 – e7952

Abstract

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Purpose To determine the level of environmental culture of the informal sector waste pickers and compliance with occupational health standards of informal waste pickers. Specific objectives: to explore the relationship between the level of environmental culture and compliance with occupational health standards: exposure to physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic agents in informal waste pickers in 2019. Methods Quantitative, correlational, cross-sectional, and non-experimental study. A sample of 400 informal waste pickers participated. Two questionnaires were applied: environmental culture and occupational health standards. Results There is a medium positive and weak positive relationship between the environmental culture variable and the different agents (physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic). There is a significant positive correlation between environmental culture and occupational health. Likewise, there is a weak positive significant correlation between environmental culture and agents (physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic), and a significant positive correlation between environmental culture and the social responsibility agent. Conclusions Informal waste pickers do not have their basic needs and rights met. A lack of occupational health safety characterizes informal recycling, so it is necessary to create formal and safe work environments with health promotion and prevention practices.

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