Solid Waste Collectors Research Articles

Prevalence of occupational injuries and associated factors among solid waste collectors in Jigjiga city, eastern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study design

BackgroundSolid waste collectors play an important role in maintaining health and hygiene in cities globally. The risk levels are very high in low-income countries since solid waste collectors have low socio-economic status and are exposed directly, unknowingly, and without adequate personal protection to municipal solid waste that contains hazardous materials. Solid waste collectors in Ethiopia are at high risk of occupational injuries due to the manual collection of hazardous solid waste by hand. In Jigjiga city, so far, there has been no study or published research showing the prevalence of occupational injuries and associated factors among municipal solid waste collectors.ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of occupational injuries and associated factors among solid waste collectors in Jigjiga City, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia, 2023.MethodsAn institutional cross-sectional study was conducted in Jigjiga City, Somali Regional State, involving 247 solid waste collectors. Data was collected through an observational and structured questionnaire and analyzed using Epi Info and STATA software programs. The study used systematic random sampling techniques and bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses to determine the statistical association between the outcome variable and independent variables. The significance of the association was tested using the 95% confidence interval and p value (<0.05).ResultsThe overall prevalence of occupational injuries was 54.7% (95% CI: 48.2%, 60.6%). Training on health and safety measures before employment [AOR: 0.43, 95% CI (0.24, 0.80)], sleeping problems [AOR: 3.28, 95% CI (1.86, 5.78)] and Temporary workers [AOR: 2.14, 95% CI (1.16, 3.95)] were significantly associated with occupational injuries.ConclusionThe prevalence rate of occupational injuries among solid waste collectors in Jigjiga City was high. There should be preventive measures, like giving Training on Health and safety before employment, to safeguard the health and safety conditions of the workers.

Health hazards implication for household solid waste collectors of north city corporation in Dhaka: a post-COVID study

Health hazards implication for household solid waste collectors of north city corporation in Dhaka: a post-COVID study

Assessing Challenges to Solid Waste Management in Urban Local Authorities in Uganda: A Case Study of Arua Municipality

Purpose: Waste generation is associated with and comes with human activities and as such, waste management is an issue which should be shared by every individual, community, organisation or Country worldwide. Depending on climate, life style and behavioural differences, level of industrialisation, available waste management programmers and economic incentives, the problem of waste generation and its management continues to be a major environmental problem in urban centres worldwide. This Paper attempts to assess the Challenges to Solid Waste Management in Urban Local Authorities in Uganda with specific reference to Arua Municipality in North Western Uganda. A Case study design was used. Materials and Methods: A sample of 391 respondents was selected out of a Target population of 7,881 which included; Heads of Households, Business Operators, Elected leaders, Heads of Departments and Solid waste Collectors. The Methods for data collection adopted were Questionnaires, Interviews, Observation and Documentary Review. The Researcher used Regression Technique for data analysis. Findings: The study findings showed that, urban population growth had an inverse relationship with solid waste management while funding had a positive significant effect on solid waste management. The study further found out that, urban population behaviour had a negative relationship with solid waste management. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: From these findings the researcher concluded that lack of waste segregation; inadequate facilities and equipment, lack of legislation and bye-laws, and ineffective enforcement are among the major challenges to solid waste management in Arua Municipality. Based on the above findings, the researcher recommends the following; Solid waste segregation (separation), enforcement, legislations and bye-laws, provision of adequate solid waste management facilities and equipment and training/Capacity building programmes on solid waste management. The study findings will help policy makers in formulating sustainable solid waste management policies and designing appropriate methods of managing solid waste in urban Local Authorities. The study findings will help raise awareness on issues pertaining to solid waste management at community level. This awareness will help build initiatives to reduce the solid waste management problem in Arua Municipality. The study will further contribute to the body of knowledge on the studies already conducted on solid waste management in developing countries.

Study of Consumption and Disposal Practices Related to Polythene Shopping Bags


 
 
 The widespread use of polythene shopping bags raises significant environmental concerns about adverse effects to marine ecosystems, wild life and impacts resulting from litter all of which require public resources to mitigate or manage. The main objective of this study is to understand the consumer behaviour on polythene bag usage, their awareness on adverse impacts and their willingness to pay for a tax on reducing polythene bag usage. Data were collected from 100 respondents selected from different locations in Sri Lanka conveniently using a structured online questionnaire. In investigating an economic instruments for reducing pollution from polythene bags, payment from the polluter was obtained from two different methods such increasing the price of the polythene bag and imposing a tax on production of polythene shopping bags. In this analysis, it was considered two different dependent variables and the four independent variables. Those dependent variables are willingness to pay for polythene shopping bag and imposing tax on production. Four independent variables were considered for each regression models such as Household income, number of times of usage of polythene shopping bags, environmental impacts and adequacy about government initiatives. The results indicate that among the respondents 86% have all types of polythene waste and 81% separate polythene waste from their collected waste stream, 60% sort polythene waste as clean and unclean before disposal, 61.50% hand over polythene waste to municipal solid waste collectors and 18% of respondents dump the garbage pit in the backyard and 13% of respondents burn it. Most (85%) of respondents don‘t agree that burning polythene is harmful to life and 92% don‘t agree that dumping polythene bags to garbage pits will provide breeding grounds to mosquitos. Majority is using the bags only one or two times but printed /branded bags are being used one to five times. Majority (36%) of respondents suggests a tax of Rs. 5.00 to pay for a polythene shopping bag which can carry 2-3kg per bag and 31 per cent respondents suggested Rs. 2.00. Most of the respondents prefer to switch to a bio-degradable or reusable bag completely if the government put a blanket ban on polythene. The study suggests that educating and making awareness related to the usage and disposal practices related to the polythene shopping bags is very important for the behaviour of the consumer. Introducing an economic instrument related to increasing the price of the polythene shopping bag or imposing a tax at the production or switch to a reusable bag or any other environmentally friendly alternative as a substitute for polythene shopping bags would be a timely action as the majority of the selected sample is ready and willing to embrace these alternatives.
 Keywords: Polythene, Shopping bags, Reusable, Consumer behaviour, Price
 
 

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Work-Related Injury Among Municipal Solid Waste Collectors in Hawassa City, Southern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Municipal solid waste collectors are at risk of experiencing work-related health problems due to the waste they handle and the physical effort they put in. Work-related injuries among domestic waste collectors have been the subject of scant research in developing nations. Therefore, it is necessary to describe work-related injuries in these subpopulation groups. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of work-related injury among municipal solid waste collectors in Hawassa city, Southern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 11 to 30, 2022, with all the registered municipal solid waste collectors (411). Three diploma environmental health professionals assisted in collecting data using a pretested structured interviewer-administered questionnaire; 1 Bachelor of Science environmental health professional served as a supervisor. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 was used to enter, clean, code, and analyze the data. Associations between independent and dependent variables were assessed, and the strength of the associations was presented by using Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). According to the bivariable analysis, all independent variables associated with a P-value <.25 were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model. Variables in the multivariable regression analysis were considered significant if their P-value was less than 0.05. In this study, the prevalence of work-related injuries within the last 30 days was 12.9% (95% CI: 9.5, 16.3), while the prevalence over the last 12 months was 59.4% (95% CI: 54.7, 64.0). After adjusting for possible confounding factors, age 18 to 24 years [AOR = 1.72;95% CI: (1.07, 2.76)], lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) utilization [AOR = 2.30; 95% CI: (1.44, 3.68)], chewing khat (yes) [AOR = 2.32;95% CI: (1.32, 4.08)], drinking alcohol (yes) [AOR = 1.80; 95% CI: (1.003, 3.24)] and job dissatisfaction [AOR = 2.26, 95% CI: (1.44, 3.54)] were shown to be significantly associated with work-related injury. The prevalence of work-related injuries was high. Age 18 to 24 years, chewing khat, drinking alcohol, lack of PPE utilization, and job dissatisfaction were significantly associated with work-related injury. Based on the findings of this study, we suggest that addressing these risk factors could help to reduce work-related injuries.

Global prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among sanitary workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Objectives. Sanitary workers are more likely to experience musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) due to a lack of ergonomics principles and poor job design. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantify MSDs among sanitary workers. Methods. The PRISMA and PICOS protocols were used for flow diagrams and review questions, respectively. Articles published between 2000 and 2022 were eligible. The keywords ‘(Musculoskeletal Disorders) AND (Solid waste collectors *OR Street sweepers *OR Sewage workers *OR health facilities cleaners)’ and MeSH terms were utilized. The data were analyzed using STATA version 17 with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results. A total of 158 papers were qualified, with 26 studies from 17 countries and a total of 6586 sanitary workers. The global prevalence of MSDs among sanitation workers was 40.52% (95% CI [32.47, 48.67]; p < 0.05). It was 43.32% (95% CI [31.98, 54.68]; p < 0.05) in high-income countries and 38.58% (95% CI [26.94, 50.18]; p < 0.05) in low-income countries. By subgroup analysis, it was 45.12% (95% CI [32.57, 57.67]; p < 0.05) for solid waste collectors, which is the highest prevalence among other workers. Conclusion. Current evidence shows that sanitation workers have a higher prevalence of occupationally associated MSDs, which might be lowered by using ergonomic work design principles.

An emerging concern of medical waste management in Rohingya refugee camps at Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh: existing practice and alternatives

The plight of humanity in refugee camps is an age-old issue, as is the ever-increasing issue of waste management, especially medical waste. Though situations have improved in recent times for refugee camps, the same cannot be concurred about medical waste management, as it increases in amount every day. This is the first study on the refugee camp, which was conducted to assess the status of medical waste management and to quantify and characterize medical wastes disposed of in the Rohingya refugee camp at Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. A cross-sectional, qualitative, and quantitative study was done. A total of 499 households, 30 solid waste collectors, 30 HCF workers, and 21 solid waste management (SWM) plant workers were interviewed by KoBo Toolbox. Monthly medical waste collection data from February to June 2022 was also collected. Data collection, processing, and statistical analysis were done using Origin Pro and SPSS software. It was found that the camps did not follow any specific guidelines for medical waste management except for a few segregations in healthcare facilities (HCF). Though 88% of the respondents were aware of the hazardous nature of medical waste, most of them disposed of these wastes in open places (49%) and drains (44%), and 70% did not segregate it from regular waste at the household level. Moreover, 73% of solid waste management workers found medical waste daily in communal bins. The HCF did not keep any records on the production of medical waste. Different types of medical waste were found in communal bins; glass bottles containing medicines were common among them. Data from the material recovery facility (MRF) of this camp showed that the highest amount of medical waste found in the communal bins was in April (65 kg) during the seasonal change from spring to summer and the lowest in February (12.7 kg). Moreover, HCF’s existing medical waste management practices were analyzed with SWOT and DPSIR framework. Based on all the findings, a comprehensive on-site and off-site management plan for medical waste is also proposed here. That will help the concerned prepare a camp medical waste management guideline.

Quantification and molecular characterization of intact rotavirus species A (RVA) in municipal solid waste leachate.

Leachate comprises a solid waste decomposition product found fresh in collection trucks or as an effluent in landfills. This study aimed to assess the occurrence, concentrations, and genetic diversity of intact rotavirus species A (RVA) in solid waste leachate. Leachate samples were concentrated by ultracentrifugation, treated with propidium monoazide (PMA), and exposed to LED photolysis. Treated and untread samples were extracted using the QIAamp Fast DNA Stool mini kit, and nucleic acids were screened for RVA employing a Taqman® Real-time PCR. The PMA RT-qPCR method detected RVA in eight out of nine truck samples and in 15.40% (2/13) of the landfill leachate samples. The RVA concentrations in the PMA-treated samples ranged from 4.57×103 to 2.15×107 genomic copies (GC) 100 mL-1 in truck leachate and from 7.83×103 to 1.42×104 GC 100 mL-1 in landfill samples. Six truck leachate samples were characterized as RVA VP6 genogroup I2 by partial nucleotide sequencing. The high intact RVA detection rates and concentrations in truck leachate samples indicate potential infectivity and comprise a warning for solid waste collectors concerning hand-to-mouth contact and the splash route.

Assessment of Solid Waste Management Practices and Role of Community Participation in Mettu Town, Ethiopia

Solid waste management has become a major public health and environmental concern in urban areas of Ethiopia. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the status of the existing solid waste management and to assess the attitude and role of the community in Mettu town. In order to accomplish these objectives, both primary and secondary data were gathered and analyzed by descriptive statistics. The sample size included of 96 members of households, business owners, kebele leaders, municipal workers, solid waste collectors and health extension workers who were selected randomly. Based on the data that generated from the respondents municipal solid waste management system is very weak in terms of status, spatial coverage, community involvement, and solid waste management facility. Among 96 about 84 (87.5%) respondents are not satisfied with the existing solid waste management. The communities participate very careless to clean their front yards, street and see it as the responsibility of the municipality. This poor status of solid waste management is intensified by poor contribution of stakeholders. Therefore, the government should be engaged in awareness creation and training all communities and stakeholders to upgrade the existing low status of solid waste management services in Mettu town.

Investigation of Solid Waste Collectors with Economic and Social Dimensions

Solid waste collectors play a key role in collecting domestic waste and recycling it. The negativities in the working environment and conditions of those who try to make a living by collecting solid waste affect their position in the social context. For this reason, in this study, the waste collection experiences of the actors in the solid waste collection sector were discussed. The economic and social disadvantages associated with their work were tried to be understood. In this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 participants (one of whom owns a waste sorting facility and two of whom are facility employees) who make a living by collecting solid waste in Ordu, Turkey. The sampling of the interviews was determined by sequential sampling. But there were also those who were determined by a little snowball sampling. The data collected through interviews were analyzed using descriptive and content analysis techniques. The findings of the study revealed the experiences of solid waste collectors and the challenges they face in the sector with their economic and social dimensions. In this way, ideas were obtained about the working conditions of solid waste collectors and their place in working life, migration experiences, poverty levels and stigma situations. It also allows policymakers to gain insight into improvements to waste collectors' working conditions and social status.

Sero-prevalence of hepatitis viral infections among sanitary workers across worldwide: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundSanitation or sanitary workers are exposed to hepatitis virus infections because of filthy and dangerous working conditions. The current global systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled sero-prevalence of occupationally associated hepatitis virus infection among them.MethodsPreferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA), and Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome and study design (PICOS) were used for flow diagram, and review questions, respectively. Four databases other methods were used published articles from 2000 to 2022. Boolean logic (AND, OR), MeSH, and keywords were used: (Occupation *OR Job *OR Work) AND (Hepatitis A *OR Hepatitis B virus *OR Hepatitis C virus *OR Hepatitis E virus) AND (Solid waste collectors [SWCs] *OR Street sweepers [SS] *OR Sewage workers [STWs] *OR health care facilities cleaners [HCFCs)) AND (Countries). Stata MP/17 software was used for pooled prevalence analysis, meta-regression analysis (Hedges) at a 95% confidence interval (CI:95%).ResultsA total of 182 studies were identified studies, a total of 28 studies were included from twelve countries. Of these, from developed (n = 7) and developing countries (n = 5). From total a of 9049 sanitary workers, 5951(66%), 2280 (25%) and 818 (9%) were STWs, SWCs and SS, respectively. Globally, the pooled sero-prevalence of occupational-related hepatitis viral infections among sanitary workers was 38.06% (95% CI: 30–0.46.12). Of this, it was 42.96% (95% CI: 32.63–53.29) and 29.81% (95% CI: 17.59–42.02) for high-income and low-income countries, respectively. Meanwhile, by sub-analysis, the highest pooled sero-prevalence of hepatitis viral infections by categories, type and year were 47.66% (95%CI: 37.42–57.90), 48.45% (95% CI: 37.95–58.96), and 48.30% (95% CI: 36.13–60.47) for SWTs, HAV, and 2000 to 2010 year, respectively.ConclusionThe consistency of the evidence suggests that sanitation workers, particularly sewage workers, are susceptible to occupationally acquired hepatitis regardless of their working conditions, necessitating significant changes to occupational health and safety regulations from governmental policies and other initiatives to reduce risks among sanitary workers.

Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice and associated factors on the prevention of occupational health risks among solid waste collectors in Lideta Subcity

Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice and associated factors on the prevention of occupational health risks among solid waste collectors in Lideta Subcity

Waste as Resource for Pakistan: An Innovative Business Model of Regenerative Circular Economy to Integrate Municipal Solid Waste Management Sector

Municipal solid waste (MSW) management is a global concern, especially in low–middle-income countries such as Pakistan, which require the redressal of MSW treatment issues to attain sustainability in the waste sector. The prosperity of municipal solid waste (MSW) collectors, i.e., the sanitary workers, is critical in the waste management hierarchy. Hence, the health, safety, social welfare, economic conditions and overall wellbeing of this tier need to be focused on more. Safeguarding the interests of the sanitary workers will support the MSW management sector in sustainability, which will help to generate revenue and minimize climatic impacts. An innovative MSW business model with waste ownership and technological intervention has excellent potential to support the sector towards a circular economy in Pakistan, the fifth most populous country in the world, generating about 100,000 metric tons of MSW per day. The proposed recycling business model will ensure a daily material recovery of 26,070 tons with 4721 tons of compost manufacturing in the country, which ultimately helps towards achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and meeting the targets of nationally determined contributors (NDCs) by 2030. In addition, the sector’s economic potential can contribute 5.5% to the total annual budget and possibly pay 1.4% of the gross domestic product (GDP) per annum to service national foreign debt, thus helping maintain the debt threshold value with an opportunity to accelerate the economic growth of Pakistan.

Practices of Occupational Health and Safety and Experience of Occupational Hazards among Solid Waste Managers in Port Harcourt Metropolis of Rivers State

Background: Waste generation is a daily occurrence and requires a proper system of collection, management, and disposal. This function lies on municipal solid waste managers (MSWM) who use manual methods of waste collection and management in the conduct of their activities. This exposes them to various forms of occupational health risks. Aim: The study investigated the occupational risk exposure of waste managers in Port Harcourt metropolis. Materials and Method: This descriptive cross-sectional survey collected data from solid waste collectors or managers who have worked for over a year in the Rivers state, using a researcher-administered semi-structured questionnaire. The data was analysed using SPPS version 23. Results: A total of 317 were recruited, with the majority as males (68.5%), aged between 30 – 39 years (56.5%), married (55.5%), permanent staff (54.3%), educated to the tertiary level (31.2%), have over 5 years of experience (52.1%) and earn between 30,000 – 39,000 Naira monthly (44.8%). Also, 87.1% of the respondents had good practice of occupational health and safety, while 61.5% and 32% of the waste managers have been exposed to work-related accidents and diseases respectively in course of carrying out their job within the last 12 months. Cuts (30.0%), puncture wounds (20.5%), and road accidents (20.2%) as the most experienced hazards by the workers, while allergies (23.2%) and rash/other skin diseases (22.1%) were the most experienced type of illness. Conclusion: The high prevalence of occupational hazards can be attributed to poor working conditions and lack of adequate safety gear. Hence, there is a need for increased governmental budgetary allocation for the provision safety gear and training

Assess the effectiveness of structured teaching program on knowledge, attitude and practices regarding preventive measures among solid waste collectors

Solid waste collectors are exposed to occupational health and accident risks related to the content of the materials they handled, emissions from those materials, and the equipment‘s being used. Several studies have reported that Solid waste collectors have got the high risk of occupational health hazards. The important morbidity that has been commonly observed among workers is respiratory diseases, eye diseases, dermatological problems, nail infections, musculoskeletal morbidities and water-borne diseases. The most common health problem investigated among this working group includes respiratory symptoms, irritation of the skin, nose, and eyes, gastrointestinal problems, fatigue, headache, allergies, musculoskeletal and injury, risks such as strains to sprains, confusions, fractures, and lacerations. Methodology: Research approach used in this study was evaluatory approach. Pre experimental one group pre-test post-test research design was adapted. The sample was solid waste collectors who fulfilled inclusion criteria selected by using non probability convenient sampling technique. The study was conducted in selected Municipal Corporations. The researcher used semi structured questionnaire to assess knowledge, modified attitude scale to assess attitude and observational checklist to assess practices of solid waste collectors. The data was analysed in terms of the objective and hypothesis using SPSS format. Result: Wilcoxon Signed rank Test value for knowledge is 6.757 which is statistically significant at 5% level of significance. Wilcoxon Signed rank Test value for attitude is 6.597 which is statistically significant at 5% level of significance. Wilcoxon Signed rank Test value for practices is 6.897 which is statistically significant at 5% level of significance. The calculated value was statistically significant at 5% level of significance. Hence the null hypothesis is rejected which shows that structured teaching program is effective. Conclusion: This study emphasized on preventive measures. Structured teaching program on preventive measures found effective to increase the level of knowledge, change to favourable attitude and follow preventive practices of solid waste collectors. This study helps to improve their health status.

MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDER AMONG MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE COLLECTORS: A CASE STUDY OF SUNG NOEN DISTRICT, NAKHON RATCHASIMA PROVINCE

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of the musculoskeletal disorder among municipal solid waste collectors and factors affecting organ injuries. Data collection used a cross-sectional survey study. The population in the study consisted of 42 municipal solid waste collectors from Sung Noen district, Nakhon Ratchasima province. The research instruments were the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), a questionnaire on injury severity, and an ergonomic assessment checklist using the rapid entire body assessment (REBA) method. The study results found that in the past year, in 88.10% of the municipal solid waste collector, the lower back was the most prominent musculoskeletal injury, followed by the shoulders. Recently, the severity of injuries was considered mild (minor) and moderate (36.11%). The REBA revealed a modest risk. Immediate improvement needs additional analysis. The factors affecting organ injuries were types of garbage truck distance of waste collection, lifting a waste bin away from the body, lifting a waste bin above the shoulders for a long time, work-related muscle spasms, throwing the body weight on one side of the body, and hanging and swinging the body while working. The study results indicated that waste collectors must work involving repeated postures and lifting heavy objects, resulting in health problems related to chronic injury of the musculoskeletal system. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a cause analysis to find recommendations for prevention and appropriate solutions to the problem. The novelty of the results was the types of garbage trucks causing injuries to different parts of the body. Garbage trucks included three types: small-size modified trucks, old trucks, and new trucks. Solid waste collectors using old and new trucks had more pain in their arms and legs than solid waste collectors using small-size modified trucks.

Evaluation of urban solid-waste generation and safety consciousness of waste collectors amidst COVID-19 pandemic.

This study investigates solid-waste handling practices by municipal waste collectors during COVID-19 pandemic period in Osogbo urban areas with the intention of assessing measures put in place for preventing possible spread of the disease. Data for the study were obtained from primary and secondary sources. Primary data were acquired through questionnaire administration on the 5% of waste collectors selected through snowball technique of chain referral. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods. Adopted under this technique are cross-tabulation, percentages, index that was used determine waste generation (WGI), and protective material index (PMI) used by waste collectors before and during the lockdown periods. The result showed that rate of waste generation before the pandemic was WGI = 0.69 and during the pandemic was WGI = 0.75. The use of protective materials before COVID-19 was PMI = 2.9 as against (PMI = 3.58) during the lockdown period, with face mask recorded lowest occurrence of use (PMI = − 2.91). Crude materials that cannot guarantee the safety of waste collectors are used for transfer of waste into disposal vehicle. The study concludes that solid-waste collectors in the study area are not adequately catered for during COVID-19 pandemic.

Locally Driven Options for Managing Sanitation Issues in Kalingalinga Township of Lusaka

In recent years, the challenge of sanitation has manifested itself in the perennial outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and dysentery, as well as pollution of water resources, contamination of air, soil and land proliferation of pests and vermin and the loss of aesthetic beauty particularly in low income residential areas. These areas are densely populated implying that externalities resulting from unsanitary conditions will impact more people compared to high residential areas. Further, as long as sanitation management solutions introduced to the locals do not seem to be locally driven, promoters are likely to face dis-adoptions. This study aimed at investigating locally driven options for managing sanitation issues in Kalingalinga Township. It utilized 126 respondents who were systematically randomly sampled. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, correlation techniques and the least square difference (LSD) methods. The study identified sanitation issues related to waste disposal, unsanitary toilets, intermittent water supply and flooding due to blocked drainages during the rainy season as key sanitation issues affecting residents of Kalingalinga Township. The ratings of the sanitary conditions in the area were largely influenced by one’s level of education and exposure with respondents who had undergone higher levels of formal education being more stringent in their ratings. While level of income was a determinant of access to water supply in the Township, the residents’ poor attitude towards solid waste disposal was a major challenge contributing to unsanitary conditions in the area. The study identified the need to separate generated waste into usable categories that could be recycled, reused and sold as raw materials to particular manufacturing industries. The success of locally driven options would hinge on residents being educated on the sustainable waste management techniques which would also contribute to household income generation through selling off usable wastes. Further, a change in the attitude of residents towards waste management, use of designated solid waste collectors who take waste to designated dump sites, use of disinfectants in toilets and avoidance of stagnating waste water would also help to manage sanitation in the area. Poor sanitation and hygiene have contributed to malnutrition cases in Zambia which may be caused by diarrheal diseases. If sanitation is well managed in this Township, then diarrheal cases, caused by poor sanitation, can be minimized. While the Lusaka City Council was often mentioned as a major solution towards waste management in the area, the study recommended participatory education of the locals in sustainable waste management, conversion of household waste into household income and a change in residents’ attitude as the starting points in ensuring successful sanitation management.

Moderating and Mediating Effects of Over-Commitment on the Association Between Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) with Upper Back and Hand/Wrist Disorders in Municipal Solid Waste Collectors.

PurposeDespite repetitive activities and the frequency of high workload for municipal solid waste (MSW) collectors, the risks of work-related stress on upper extremity pain are inconclusive. The objective of this study is to assess the moderation and mediation effect of effort–reward imbalance (ERI) and over-commitment (OC) on upper back and hand/wrist disorders in MSW collectors.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with MSW collectors from two cities in Taiwan. Each participant was asked to anonymously fill out a structured questionnaire. Work-related stress, including ERI and OC, was assessed by a Chinese version of the Job Content Questionnaire (C-JCL). Upper back and hand/wrist disorders were assessed using the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire. Multivariate analysis was used to assess moderation and mediation effect of OC and ERI on upper extremity pain.ResultsThe moderation effect of ERI and OC on upper back and hand/wrist disorders in MSW collectors was found. Disorders were higher in the group with both ERI ≥1 and high OC (OR (odds ratio) = 3.25 and OR = 3.00) than in the group with ERI ≥1 and low OC (OR = 2.66 and OR = 1.87) and in the ERI <1 and high OC group (OR = 2.27 and OR = 1.26). Synergy indexes were 0.77 and 1.77, respectively. Using multivariate analysis after adjusting for covariates, the mediation effect of OC was significant for the association between ERI and upper back and hand/wrist pains. The indirect effects of OC for upper back and hand/wrist pains accounted for 35% and 42%, respectively, and OC appears to mediate the relationship between ERI and upper back and hand/wrist disorders in MSW collectors.ConclusionWork-related stress measured ERI and OC may play a role in moderating and mediating effects on upper extremity pain. Encouraging provisions of work modification and stress management is needed to mitigate the occurrence of upper extremities pain in MSW collectors.

Household Solid Waste: an Assessment Of the Impacts of Covid-19 on Preventive Practices In Brazilian Public Management

The World Health Organization recommends home care for patients with Covid-19 who have mild symptoms. In home confinement, the infected continue their routine of consumption and generation of waste. Public services must be adjusted to deal with the collection and management of contaminated waste and thus reduce likely additional impacts. In order to verify whether Brazilian municipalities are aware of the recommendations for the protection of urban solid waste collectors, this study analyzed the capacity of municipalities to adapt to the set of official recommendations for the management of contaminated household solid waste by Covid 19. Using a hypothetical-deductive method of bibliographic, documentary and exploratory character, theoretical aspects related to the management of solid waste are initially addressed; second, documentary research in the SNIS 2018, ANVISA, CONAMA, ABES and ABRELPE databases. It was found that Covid-19 exposed the pre-existing problems and deficiencies in public cleaning and MSW management in Brazil. It was clear that the management of MSW in small Brazilian municipalities is similar, as well as the indicators of MSW management reveal problems when compared to the PNRS of Brazil. Such disorder is aggravated by the lack of planning for the integrated management of urban solid waste.