Hygiene practices and exposure to potential hazards among manual faecal sludge evacuators in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed faecal sludge management methods, hygiene practices and potential health hazards among manual faecal sludge evacuators within Ibadan metropolis. A cross-sectional study was conducted among sixty (60) consented manual faecal sludge evacuators using a validated questionnaire and in-depth interview guide. Hands swab samples were also collected for microbial load count. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and t-test at p=0.05. Respondents’ mean age was 48.2±13.3 years, 75.0% had at least primary education, 18.3% had spent more than 19 years on the job. Average monthly income was 22,546.80±3,341.90 NGN (1US$=NGN 416). Only 18.3% reported that they use PPE during emptying while 53.3% reported that they usually do hand washing with water and soap. In-depth interview of participants emphasised that the protective foot wear becomes completely soaked and making movement difficult and slow during the emptying operations. Major hazards reported by the manual evacuators were odour (41.7%), gas fumes/aerosols (18.3%) and dust (6.6%). Salmonella, Shigella and E. coli were isolated from the hand wash water samples from the manual evacuators. Eschericia coli count (cfu/mL) was significantly higher among evacuators without PPE during evacuation (4.1±2.6)×103) compared to their counterpart with PPE during evacuation (1.4±0.8)×103). Feacal sludge management by the manual evacuators was unwholesome while utilization of PPE was low among manual faecal sludge evacuators. Salmonella/shigella and E. coli was higher among evacuators that did not use PPE. Regular use of personal protective equipment and compliance with hygiene standards relating to the work should be enforced among manual fecal sludge evacuators.