Health Challenges Among Waste Collectors in Bangladesh: Exploring Risk Factors Using Multi-level Modeling

IF 3.5 3区医学 Q1 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Safety and Health at Work Pub Date : 2025-03-01 DOI:10.1016/j.shaw.2024.10.007

Safayet Hossain , Md Farhad Hossain , Bowen Liu , Anjuman Ara , Haneen Alsaoud , Md Abdul Majed Patwary

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Waste collectors face multi-faceted health risks including exposure to musculoskeletal disorders, respiratory diseases, and workplace injuries because of their hazardous work environment. The purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors that affect health of the waste collectors across Bangladesh.

Methods

Data on a cross-sectional survey obtained information from 481 waste collectors about their demographics, housing conditions, hygiene practices, security measures, and disease prevalence. Descriptive analyses and multi-level models are used.

Results

As per univariate analysis, 81.3% did not have access to clean water, 58.4% did not have access to sanitation, and 65.9% of people lived in unhealthy housing. According to bivariate analysis, there is an association between unhealthy working conditions i.e., respiratory illnesses (19.1% asthma, 29.7% cough), gastrointestinal issues (59.3% discomfort, 24.1% diarrhea), musculoskeletal disorders, and dermatological diseases, and unsafe working conditions (i.e., 60% no masks, 71% no gloves, and 75% no boots). Considering geographic clustering, multi-level modeling examined how different factors affected particular illnesses. The following were significant protective factors: better housing (80% lower odds of acute irritation), security measures (50% lower odds of gastrointestinal diseases), good hygiene (62% lower odds of dermatological diseases), and younger age (2% higher odds of respiratory diseases per year).

Conclusion

In summary, unsafe living and working conditions greatly push the risks of illness for waste collectors. These risks to occupational health can be reduced with targeted interventions that enhance housing, hygiene, security protocols, and working conditions.

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来源期刊

Safety and Health at Work Social Sciences-Safety Research

CiteScore

6.40

自引率

5.70%

发文量

1080

审稿时长

38 days

期刊介绍： Safety and Health at Work (SH@W) is an international, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary journal published quarterly in English beginning in 2010. The journal is aimed at providing grounds for the exchange of ideas and data developed through research experience in the broad field of occupational health and safety. Articles may deal with scientific research to improve workers'' health and safety by eliminating occupational accidents and diseases, pursuing a better working life, and creating a safe and comfortable working environment. The journal focuses primarily on original articles across the whole scope of occupational health and safety, but also welcomes up-to-date review papers and short communications and commentaries on urgent issues and case studies on unique epidemiological survey, methods of accident investigation, and analysis. High priority will be given to articles on occupational epidemiology, medicine, hygiene, toxicology, nursing and health services, work safety, ergonomics, work organization, engineering of safety (mechanical, electrical, chemical, and construction), safety management and policy, and studies related to economic evaluation and its social policy and organizational aspects. Its abbreviated title is Saf Health Work.