Cross-Sectional Study on the Health Risk of Municipal Solid Waste Management Workers: A Case Study of Warri, Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

The increasing generation and indiscriminate dumping of municipal solid waste (MSW) in Sub-Sahara Africa has reached a record high. The MSW collection poses a significant health risk to the workers both physically and health-wise. The workers of MSW collectors are constantly subjected to cycles of physical labour such as pushing, pulling, hauling, and lifting. This article sought to evaluate potential health risks, symptoms, and the efficiency of using personal protective equipment (PPE). The respondents of this study are workers in the metropolis of Warri, who work for small and micro businesses. The response of the respondents was collected by utilizing a structured questionnaire. A total of 150 questionnaires were distributed to MSW workers (n = 150). The study’s findings revealed that just a small percentage (12%) of waste collectors are routinely equipped with personal protective equipment. Furthermore, 92% of the respondents are reported to have encountered sharp objects during waste evacuation. About 85.3% and 89.3% of respondents have encountered mosquitoes and bacteria/fungal growth in MSW waste, respectively (disease-carrying insects). The study found that the MSW collectors are highly at risk of developing respiratory-associated symptoms with about 67.3% reported to have shown symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, and asphyxiation. Approximately 70%, 91%, and 91.6% of the respondents experienced headaches, musculoskeletal, and dermatological symptoms respectively. In addition, about 56% were reported to have shown gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and nausea. This paper concludes that MSW personnel should be completely equipped with PPE due to the various health hazards outlined in this study.