Assessment of Health Risk Protection Behaviors among Solid Waste Collectors in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2015-05
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Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
Introduction: Solid waste collection is a daily task all over the world with significant variation in its
amount and type. Waste is automatically regarded as the harbinger of disease and the bringer of illness.
Inadequate understanding of magnitude of the problem & poor financial resources, occupational risk
behaviors of waste collectors is major problems in most of developing countries. Ethiopia as one of the
developing countries, municipal solid waste is collected manually and lifting, carrying, pulling, pushing,
and loading it is a common task.
Objective: This study aimed at assessing health risk protection behaviors, knowledge, attitude and
practice among solid waste collectors in Addis Ababa city.
Method: A cross sectional survey complemented by qualitative key in-depth interview was carried out
among solid waste collectors working as home to home waste collectors under small scale enterprise
unions at Addis Ababa city administration. Sample populations were selected using multi stage sampling
technique. A total of 654 solid waste collectors and 2 woreda solid waste management heads and 3
supervisors were interviewed from February to March, 2015. Data was entered into a computer by using
Epi-Info version 3.5.1and analyzed using SPSS version 20 for windows. Frequencies, means, tables and
graphs were used to present data. Logistic regression analysis was used in order to identify the
association between predictor variables and dependent variable and to control confounders. Thematic
analysis using open code soft ware was used for qualitative data analysis.
Result: The response rate of this study was 98.2% and male respondent were 60.7%. The median age of
the study subjects was 29 ranging from 18 to 68 years. Above half of SWC had low level of knowledge
(52%) in term of alertness, positive attitude (53.7%) about health risk protection and inappropriate
practice (55.5%) on prevention of infections, injury and disability. Training on occupational health safety
were associated significantly with both frequently hand wash and wearing PPE during duty (AOR=2.41;
95% CI, 1.47-3.96 and AOR=1.77; 95% CI, 1.21-2.61) respectively. Lack of concern, addiction,
carelessness, lack of PPE supply and nature of job were reasons mentioned for SWC health risk practice.
Conclusion and Recommendation: Health risk protection behavior among solid waste collectors in
Addis Ababa city was inappropriate. Solid waste collectors should be packaged in health related
programs to enhance their health care information and health service utilization. Training SWC about
safety and provision of standardized PPE is highly recommended.
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Keywords
Assessment of Health Risk Protection Behaviors