Prevalence of Injuries Among Waste Pickers. A Case Study in Nigeria

Waste picking might provide, in low-income countries, a livelihood for many individuals representing an important survival strategy. However, during their activities, waste pickers are at risk of encountering harmful waste, which could cause injuries and other infectious diseases. This paper investigates the occurrences of injury among waste pickers and the methods they use to treat the injuries in Bauchi city, Northeastern Nigeria. A total of 322 waste pickers were randomly selected across 80 waste pickers’ middlemen shops. Data was obtained through questionnaire and interview. Based on the data presented, 1474 frequencies of injuries were reported among 247 waste pickers. Age, education and working experience are significant parameters to the prevalence of injuries among waste pickers, and the incidence of injuries increased with the decrease in those parameters. The study shows that most of the waste pickers experienced injuries, most of whom do not attend clinic when injury occurs; instead, they used salt, ash, sand, hydraulic, kerosene, battery acid, among others, to treat their wounds. Cuts and pierces are good entry points for bacteria and viruses, which can eventually spread to the general public infectious diseases, such as Hepatitis, Cholera and Lassa fever. Provision of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), a labor rights policy, immunization and the launch of an awareness campaign are among the recommendations made by this study.