Health Challenges Among Waste Collectors in Bangladesh: Exploring Risk Factors Using Multi-level Modeling

Waste collectors face multi-faceted health risks including exposure to musculoskeletal disorders, respiratory diseases, and workplace injuries because of their hazardous work environment. The purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors that affect health of the waste collectors across Bangladesh.

Data on a cross-sectional survey obtained information from 481 waste collectors about their demographics, housing conditions, hygiene practices, security measures, and disease prevalence. Descriptive analyses and multi-level models are used.

As per univariate analysis, 81.3% did not have access to clean water, 58.4% did not have access to sanitation, and 65.9% of people lived in unhealthy housing. According to bivariate analysis, there is an association between unhealthy working conditions i.e., respiratory illnesses (19.1% asthma, 29.7% cough), gastrointestinal issues (59.3% discomfort, 24.1% diarrhea), musculoskeletal disorders, and dermatological diseases, and unsafe working conditions (i.e., 60% no masks, 71% no gloves, and 75% no boots). Considering geographic clustering, multi-level modeling examined how different factors affected particular illnesses. The following were significant protective factors: better housing (80% lower odds of acute irritation), security measures (50% lower odds of gastrointestinal diseases), good hygiene (62% lower odds of dermatological diseases), and younger age (2% higher odds of respiratory diseases per year).

In summary, unsafe living and working conditions greatly push the risks of illness for waste collectors. These risks to occupational health can be reduced with targeted interventions that enhance housing, hygiene, security protocols, and working conditions.