International Journal of Medicine Research

Authors
Kanario Jane, Osero Justus, Warutere Peterson, Migiro Victor

Abstract
Background: Solid waste collectors are persons who pick up garbage to deposit at transfer stations or recyclable materials to deposit at existing recycling sites. In developing countries such as Kenya, solid waste handling is done manually which exposes the solid waste collectors to occupational injuries. This study therefore, assessed the types and distribution of occupational injuries among solid waste collectors in Nairobi City County. Method: The study employed the use of cross sectional study design and the sample for the study constituted 328 solid waste collectors who were clustered into private companies, community based organizations (CBOs) and Nairobi City County environment department employee solid waste collectors. Systematic random sampling was used to select the study subjects. Data for the study was collected using structured interview schedule by the trained research assistants. Results: The findings show that 88.1% of the solid waste collectors experienced at least one type of occupational injury. The SWCs suffered strain or sprain; puncture; contusion; laceration and fracture injuries with the most prevalent injury being puncture 264(80.5%) and the least prevalent being fracture injury 28(8.5%). There was a negative association between puncture injury and sex (OR=0.458; S.E=0.454; p=0.048); and level of education (OR=0.016; S.E=0.293; p=0.017); and positive association between puncture injury and monthly income (OR=1.188; S.E=0.176; P=0.001. There is a negative association between contusion injury and the level of education (OR=0.877; S.E=0.257; P=0.014); and a positive association between contusion injury and monthly income (OR=1.881; S.E=0.149; P=0.000). There is a negative association between fracture injury and marital status (OR=0.386; S.E=0.410; P=0.020). Conclusion: The proportion of occupational injuries among SWCs was very high. SWCs who were less educated suffered higher proportion of puncture and contusion injuries. The married had a higher proportion of fracture injury, SWCs who earned higher income suffered more puncture and contusion injuries and female SWCs suffered higher proportion of puncture injury than the male.