Prevalence of Occupational Injuries and Associated Factors among Municipal Solid Waste Collectors In Sheger City, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Municipal solid waste collection is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world since it exposes people to risks at work and puts them at risk for certain occupational morbidities. Occupational morbidities related to solid waste management have not been adequately addressed in developing countries including Ethiopia. Objective: To assess the prevalence of occupational injuries and associated factors among solid waste collectors in Shaggar City, Oromia, Ethiopia, 2024 Methods: A cross-sectional study design was conducted among randomly selected 375 solid waste collectors in Shaggar City from January 1, 2024 to February 30, 2024. Data was collected by face-to-face interviews by using structured questionnaire adapted from similar studies after reviewing relevant literatures. The collected data was entered into Epi data version 3.1 and then exported into SPSS version 25 for data cleaning, coded and analysis. Multi co-linearity test was carried out to see the correlation between independent variables using VIF and all variables have < 3 VIF. Variables with P ≤ 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were included in the final model of multivariable binary logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with occupational injury. The goodness of model fit was tested by Hosmer-Lemeshow statistic test and it was 0.68. The presence of statistical association was assessesd using an adjusted odd ratio with 95% CI and p value < 0.05 in the final model were considered as statistically significant factors associated with occupational injury. Result: The overall prevalence of occupational injury among solid waste collectors was 34.9% (95 CI: 30.1%, 40%). Less than 2 years work experience (AOR=1.642; 95%CI, 1.045, 2.581), utilization of Personal Protective Equipments (AOR=0.472, 95%CI: 0.285, 0.783), sleeping pattern/problem (AOR=3.66, 95% of CI: 1.196, 11.202) and low monthly income (AOR=1.634, 95%CI: 1.013, 2.635) were the significant factors associated with occupational injury. Conclusion and recommendation: The study concluded that prevalence of occupational injuries and associated factors among municipal solid waste collectors was high. Shaggar City Municipality should give regular training for Solid Waste Collectors on proper ways of waste handling, supply of adequate personal protective equipments and monitor their usage.