Awareness of occupational health hazards among street sweepers and garbage collectors at Beni-Suef city, Egypt; a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Street sweepers and garbage collectors play an important role in maintaining health and hygiene in the communities. However, they usually work at risky environments that expose them to various morbid conditions. In this study, we aimed at evaluating awareness and attitudes of Egyptian street sweepers and garbage collectors regarding the occupational risks they are exposed to and its preventive measures. Therefore, in a descriptive study, 70 randomly-selected street sweepers and garbage collectors from Beni-Suef city, Egypt were randomly selected and approached through direct interviews with a semi-tailored questionnaire. Our results indicated that street sweepers and garbage collectors were aware of occupational health hazards and diseases, to which they are exposed and may encounter at work. Nevertheless, during the past 12 months, 41.4% of them experienced a job-related health problem. They sweep streets and collect garbage directly unprotected hands and without using any personal protective equipment. Additionally, their attitudes towards taking preventive measures while working did not match their knowledge about their job-related health hazards. We conclude that street sweepers and garbage collectors should be treated as a vulnerable group that requires pre-placement and in-service orientations, health education, vaccinations, medical check-ups, with close monitoring of their attitudes and practice