Journal article
Health disorders among Egyptian municipal solid waste workers and assessment of their knowledge, attitude, and practice towards the hazardous exposure
Environmental science and pollution research international, Vol.28(24), pp.30993-31002
02/16/2021
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-12856-3
PMID: 33594549
Abstract
Solid waste workers are exposed to variety of injuries and diseases at work. To study health disorders among workers in the waste management field and to assess their knowledge attitude and practice (KAP) towards hazardous exposure and safety measures. A cross-sectional study was carried out on 275 waste workers and an equal number as a group of controls from workers' relatives or workers not involved in waste management. Workers completed a self-administered or interviewer-based questionnaire containing data about (i) knowledge, e.g., management of wastes, types of hazards associated with solid waste management, and safety measures; (ii) attitude, e.g., opinions about mode of transmission of infection and safety measures; and (iii) practice, e.g., available safety measures to prevent exposure to hazards. Health education sessions were carried out with pre- and post-assessment of KAP. Both groups were assessed regarding the health status through history, general, and local examination (respiratory system and skin) in addition to spirometric measurements and complete blood count. A total of 275 exposed solid waste workers and 275 controls were included. A significantly higher prevalence of symptoms regarding respiratory, gastrointestinal, renal, musculoskeletal, and dermatological systems were detected among the exposed group than the controls (P<0.05). Significantly lower levels of RBCs, Hb, HCT, and MCH were reported among the exposed group than the controls (P<0.05). Among the exposed group vs. controls, FEV1 reported 99.75±13.35 vs. 104.83±10.47 (P<0.001), FEV
/FVC% reported 98.88±15.32 vs. 102.72±14.36 (P=0.003), FEF
% reported 99.64±17.06 vs. 103.07±19.38 (P=0.029), and PEF% reported 58.73±16.31 vs. 62.12±12.91 (P=0.007). Unsatisfactory knowledge was reported among 64% of solid waste workers, 69.1% had negative attitude, and 73.8% had unsafe practice. KAP was significantly higher post than pre-health education (P<0.001). Respiratory, gastrointestinal, and skin infections were common among solid waste workers. Assessment of KAP towards management of wastes, transmission of infection, exposure to sharps, and safety measures showed poor levels that got improved after health education. To maintain good health among solid waste workers, direct supervision with periodic medical examination and focused continuous health education are required.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Health disorders among Egyptian municipal solid waste workers and assessment of their knowledge, attitude, and practice towards the hazardous exposure
- Creators
- Zeinab A Kasemy - Public Health and Community Medicine Department (Public Health and Community Medicine Specialty), Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Gamal Abdel Nasser st, 5th floor, Shibin El Kom, Menoufia, Egypt. zeinabkasemy@gmail.comDiane S Rohlman - Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, USAAsmaa A Abdel Latif - Public Health and Community Medicine Department (Industrial medicine and occupational health specialty), Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Shibin El Kom, Egypt
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Environmental science and pollution research international, Vol.28(24), pp.30993-31002
- DOI
- 10.1007/s11356-021-12856-3
- PMID
- 33594549
- NLM abbreviation
- Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
- ISSN
- 0944-1344
- eISSN
- 1614-7499
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 02/16/2021
- Academic Unit
- Occupational and Environmental Health; International Programs; Injury Prevention Research Center
- Record Identifier
- 9984214793902771
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