Occupational health hazard exposure and health problems among solid waste collectors in Phayao Province, Northern Thailand

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Published: May 25, 2021
Keywords:
health hazards solid waste collection musculoskeletal disorders illness experiences workplace environment

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Sarawut Sangkham
Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Phayao, Thailand
Sakesun Thongtip
Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Phayao, Thailand
Pornpun Sakunkoo
Department of Environmental Health Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Khon Kaen University, Thailand

Abstract

This is a cross-sectional study on solid waste collectors (SWCs) who are potentially exposed to various occupational health hazards leading to health risks. This study was conducted on 107 solid waste collectors who had completed structured questionnaire interviews between October to December 2019. Data analysis was performed using the STATA software (14.1 version). The majority (93.5%) of SWCs were employed temporarily. Among the total solid waste collectors, 72% of them had occupational health symptoms. This study showed that most SWCs suffered from different types of occupational health symptoms such as musculoskeletal pain and injuries (59.7%), respiratory symptoms (23.4%), head, eyes, and ears symptoms (7.8%), skin symptoms (5.2%), and gastrointestinal symptoms (3.9%). High level of health hazards exposure (ORadj = 5.87, 95%CI = 1.80 – 19.03), shift hours were significantly associated with occupational health problems. Thus, providing occupational safety training and personal protective equipment support in the working environment, including giving knowledge about health hazards and awareness and promoting annual medical checkups, should be considered.

Article Details

How to Cite
1.
Sangkham S, Thongtip S, Sakunkoo P. Occupational health hazard exposure and health problems among solid waste collectors in Phayao Province, Northern Thailand. J Public Hlth Dev [Internet]. 2021 May 25 [cited 2024 Apr. 27];19(2):227-39. Available from: https://he01.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/AIHD-MU/article/view/249795
Issue
Vol. 19 No. 2 (2021): May-August
Section
Short Report
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Author Biographies

Sarawut Sangkham, Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Phayao, Thailand

Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Phayao, Thailand

Sakesun Thongtip, Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Phayao, Thailand

Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Phayao, Thailand

Pornpun Sakunkoo, Department of Environmental Health Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Khon Kaen University, Thailand

Department of Environmental Health Occupational Health and Safety, Faculty of Public Health, Khon Kaen University, Thailand

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