Identifying Risk Factors of Health of Solid Waste Collectors: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Increase in urbanization has resulted in exponential generation of solid waste. Exposure to various types of harmful waste is known to affect health of solid waste collectors. Hard manual labour involving frequent bending, travelling for long distance and early working hours further increase their risk of health morbidity. Aims and Objectives: To identify risk factors of health hazards in solid waste collectors of urban Maharashtra. Results: A cross-sectional study was conducted to collect data regarding clinico-social profile of solid waste collectors of Pune. Diet of all the population was found to be deficit for calorie and protein. Average female solid waste collector was anemic. More than 80% of the study population reported musculoskeletal problems such as leg and black problem which increased with increase in duration of job. Skin problems like Itching, Dryness, Hypopigmentation, Lymphadenopathy and respiratory illness were significantly more among those who worked for less than five years in this job. Conclusion: Frequent health checkups and proper counseling regarding health care is essential for this population to decrease burden of disease.

Keywords

• solid waste collectors
• musculoskeletal problems
• skin problems