Occupational Injuries and use of Personal Protective Equipment among Casual Municipal Solid Waste Workers in the Informal Sector in Kampala: A Cross-Sectional Study.: Occupational injuries in informal waste workers.

Dathan Mirembe Byonanebye; Jackline  Nankya; Irene  Arinaitwe; Brian  Bukenya

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v3i3.98

Authors

Dathan Mirembe Byonanebye Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences, Makerere University School of Public Health, Uganda.
Jackline Nankya Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences, Makerere University School of Public Health, Uganda.
Irene Arinaitwe Department of Information Systems, Makerere University College of Computing, and Information Sciences (CoCIS), Uganda.
Brian Bukenya Directorate of Public Health and Environment, Kampala Capital City Authority, Uganda.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v3i3.98

Keywords:

Occupational injuries, Occupational risk, Municipal Solid waste

Abstract

Introduction:

The risk of occupational injuries in municipal solid waste workers in most low- and middle-income countries is increasing. This study sought to determine the use of PPE and its association with injuries among casual waste workers in a prototypical city.

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional study of casual waste workers at a large city landfill site in Kampala, Uganda. Structured questionnaires were used to obtain data on PPE use and occupational injuries within one year before the study. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between PPE use and occupational injury.

Results:

The study was conducted between May 2020 and December 2020 and enrolled 81 participants, 44 (54%) of whom were male. Overall, 27 (33%) reported not using PPE, while 53 (65%) reported experiencing injuries. In the multivariable logistic regression model, the use of PPE was associated with lower odds of injury (odds ratio [OR] 0.09, 95% 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.01–0.57; P=0.011). In contrast, perceived risk was associated with a greater risk of injury (OR 34.95; 95% CI, 7.00, 174.56; P<0.001). Prior training on PPE use (adjusted odds ratio, AOR 44.69; 95% CI 6.12–342.02; P=0.002), and older age (AOR 1.16; 95% CI 1.03–1.31; P=0.014), were associated with higher odds of PPE use. Additionally, waste pickers and sorters were more likely to use PPE than site traders.

Conclusions:

Among casual waste workers, there was suboptimal use of PPE and a high rate of occupational injuries. This study suggests that the non-use of PPE may be due to a lack of access and training.

Recommendations:

We recommend surveillance of injuries among workers in the waste management sector as well as regular training in routine and proper use of PPEs.

Author Biographies

Dathan Mirembe Byonanebye, Department of Community Health and Behavioural Sciences, Makerere University School of Public Health, Uganda.

Dr. Dathan Byonanebye is a medical doctor with double specialist training in Internal Medicine (Makerere University) and Public Health (University of Manchester). He is a Fellow of the East, Central and Southern Africa College of Physicians (ECSACoP). Currently, he is a Doctoral candidate (Medicine) at University of New South Wales, Australia. His research Interests include non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and digital public Health interventions. His PhD focuses on cardiovascular risk in people living with HIV/AIDS who are treated with contemporary antiretroviral therapy. Prior research has been on digital health interventions to optimize TB, Integration of NCD in HIV care, and Public Health interventions to optimize NCD care.