Assessment of occupational risks of waste scavenging in Ilorin metropolis

Background: Economic situations in the third world nations had made waste scavenging a means of sustenance for millions of youth and women. Poor source segregation of wastes in developing countries has increased the potential for exposure to infections and other occupational hazards. Objectives: This study addressed issues relating to the potential occupational risks among scavengers in Ilorin metropolis. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the scavengers working on wastes dumpsite in Ilorin metropolis, Kwara State and 109 respondents were administered with questionnaires. The data was analysed using statistical package for social science for descriptive and inferential (t-test) at 5% level of significance. Results: Scavenging was found to be male dominated venture with over 90 percent respondents being of male gender and most respondents are in their prime as they are mostly between ages 21 – 30years and usage of PPE among scavengers was found to be very low. Most scavengers had not undergone any training prior to commencement of the job and prevalent diseases among them are fever, diarrhoea, cough and skin diseases with fever having highest occurrence. Conclusions: Regular trainings on occupational safety for scavengers, enforcement of personal hygiene practices, proper monitoring by regulatory agency and inclusion of scavengers in mandatory health insurance scheme will help to improve health status of scavengers.