RESUMO
The aim of this study was to evaluate the health risks of solid waste disposal workers and scavengers, involved in the handling and disposal of municipal wastes, especially their cardiovascular health. The study was carried out in Port Harcourt, Nigeria from 2011 to 2013. Male solid waste disposal workers and scavengers (n=100) aged between 19 and 53years who have worked from six months to 15 years in waste disposal industry, were used in this study. Twenty six percent were aged 40 years and above while 74% were aged between 19 to 39 years. These were compared with 100 male subjects of same age group (21 to 50) who were not solid waste disposal workers; they served as the control group. Their blood pressures (systolic and diastolic) were measured using a standard mercury sphygmomanometer, weight was measured using calibrated electronic scale and height was measured using a Stadiometer. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated by the formula (weight/height2). These were used as indices of cardiovascular disease in the volunteers. The level of malaria parasitemia was evaluated. A well-structured questionnaire was given to each volunteer in this study as a behavioral determinant. Mean systolic pressure of the solid waste disposal workers and the control group were 136±13.58 mmHg (Mean ± SD) and 117±12-04 mmHg respectively. The diastolic pressures were 88±12.73 mmHg and 71±10.71 mmHg respectively. This was significant (p<0.01) despite the fact that the solid waste disposal workers had a lower BMI value (24.25±3.19 Kg/M2) than the controls (29.46±3.75 Kg/M2). The increase in blood pressure cuts across duration of exposure, 55.84% of the solid waste disposal workers reported regular alcohol intake, while 43.27% reported current tobacco use against 20% and 7% of the control group. There was no significant difference (p>0.01) when the blood pressures of solid waste disposal workers aged 40 and above was compared with that of 19 to 39 age group. Prevalence of malaria parasitaemia was higher in the solid waste disposal workers in comparison to the controls 92% and 69% respectively.