TY - JOUR

T1 - The Incidence, Intensity, and Risk Factors for Soil Transmissible Helminthes Infections among Waste Handlers in a Large Coastal Periurban Settlement in Southern Ghana

AU - Kretchy, James Paul

AU - Dzodzomenyo, Mawuli

AU - Ayi, Irene

AU - Dwomoh, Duah

AU - Agyabeng, Kofi

AU - Konradsen, Flemming

AU - Dalsgaard, Anders

PY - 2021

Y1 - 2021

N2 - Soil-transmissible helminthes (STH) infections are among the most common sanitation-related public health problems in poor periurban settlements of tropical regions of low- A nd middle-income countries. In Ghana, research studies documenting the incidence rate, intensity, and occupational risk factors of STH infections among adults are scanty. A prospective cohort study of 261 waste handlers was conducted to investigate this. Stool samples were collected after 90 and 180 days of treatment with albendazole (400 mg per dose). The geometric mean intensity of STH among waste handlers after 180 days of treatment was 2.8 eggs/gram (light intensity), with an incidence rate of 1.5%. The proportion of waste handlers with light intensity STH infections was 4.8%. The odds of STH infection among female waste handlers were 80% lower when compared with male waste handlers (aOR = 0.2; 95% CI: 0.0-0.8). Waste handlers who used rubber gloves when working were 80% (aOR = 0.2: 95% CI: 0.2-1.9) protected from STH infections compared with those who did not use gloves. Infections with STH among the 261 waste handlers significantly correlated with the type of waste handling activities (LR χ2 = 15.3; p=0.033) with the highest proportion of infection found among transporters, 2 (40%). Waste handlers should receive periodic antihelminthic treatment, at least once every six months, practice adequate hand hygiene, and use suitable personal protective equipment during work.

AB - Soil-transmissible helminthes (STH) infections are among the most common sanitation-related public health problems in poor periurban settlements of tropical regions of low- A nd middle-income countries. In Ghana, research studies documenting the incidence rate, intensity, and occupational risk factors of STH infections among adults are scanty. A prospective cohort study of 261 waste handlers was conducted to investigate this. Stool samples were collected after 90 and 180 days of treatment with albendazole (400 mg per dose). The geometric mean intensity of STH among waste handlers after 180 days of treatment was 2.8 eggs/gram (light intensity), with an incidence rate of 1.5%. The proportion of waste handlers with light intensity STH infections was 4.8%. The odds of STH infection among female waste handlers were 80% lower when compared with male waste handlers (aOR = 0.2; 95% CI: 0.0-0.8). Waste handlers who used rubber gloves when working were 80% (aOR = 0.2: 95% CI: 0.2-1.9) protected from STH infections compared with those who did not use gloves. Infections with STH among the 261 waste handlers significantly correlated with the type of waste handling activities (LR χ2 = 15.3; p=0.033) with the highest proportion of infection found among transporters, 2 (40%). Waste handlers should receive periodic antihelminthic treatment, at least once every six months, practice adequate hand hygiene, and use suitable personal protective equipment during work.

U2 - 10.1155/2021/5205793

DO - 10.1155/2021/5205793

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 33777151

AN - SCOPUS:85102728030

VL - 2021

JO - Journal of Environmental and Public Health

JF - Journal of Environmental and Public Health

SN - 1687-9805

M1 - 5205793

ER -