Seroprevalence of HBV among Egyptian municipal solid waste workers

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) in Egypt (2000-2022): a systematic review with meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Hepatitis B infection seriously threatens global public health, especially in developing nations. Despite several investigations on HBV incidence, the national pooled prevalence remains unknown, particularly in populations at-risk at whom interventions should be primarily aimed.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search of the following databases: Medline [PubMed], Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. I-squared and Cochran's Q were used to measure the heterogeneity between the studies. Publications that matched the following were included: Primary studies published in Egypt from 2000 to 2022 reported HBV prevalence based on HBsAg. We excluded any studies that were not performed on Egyptians or that were performed on patients suspected of acute viral hepatitis or studies focusing on occult hepatitis or vaccination evaluation studies, or national surveys.

RESULTS

The systematic review included 68 eligible studies reporting a total of 82 incidences of HBV infection based on hepatitis B surface antigen with a total sample size of 862,037. The pooled national prevalence among studies was estimated to be 3.67% [95% CI; 3: 4.39]. Children under 20 with a history of HBV vaccination during infancy had the lowest prevalence of 0.69%. The pooled prevalence of HBV infection among pregnant women, blood donors, and healthcare workers was 2.95%, 1.8%, and 1.1%, respectively. While patients with hemolytic anemia and hemodialysis patients, patients with malignancies, HCC patients, and chronic liver disease patients had the highest prevalences at 6.34%, 25.5%, 18.6%, and 34%, respectively. Studies reporting HBV prevalence in urban settings compared to rural settings revealed a similar HBV prevalence of 2.43% and 2.15%, respectively. Studies comparing HBV prevalence in males and females revealed a higher prevalence among males (3.75%) than females (2.2%).

CONCLUSION

In Egypt, hepatitis B infection is a significant public health issue. The blocking of mother-to-infant hepatitis B transmission, the scaling up of the scope of the existing vaccination program, and implementing new strategies, including screen-and-treat, may reduce the prevalence of the disease.

Challenges and Construction Applications of Solid Waste Management in Middle East Arab Countries

Over the past few decades, solid waste production, specifically construction waste, in Middle Eastern Arab countries has dramatically increased. This is characterized by several factors, including rapid urbanization, common food wasting habits, diverse culture, lack of proper planning of solid waste processes, insufficient equipment, as well as lack of proper funding. The exponential growth in solid waste generation rates has led to hazards to health and the environment, causing issues related to air and water pollution under the already increasing pressure of climate change. In this review, we analyze the current solid waste challenges in 13 Arab countries, common diseases, and actual projects applied. The selection of Arab countries was mainly based on the countries with the highest population as well as the availability of data in the field of study. This review also highlights the efforts of the Arab governments that implemented several pilot projects that are not sustainable or effective in the long term. We discuss the main issues facing each Arab country and the main challenges they have in common, as well as the potential to use the great amounts of construction waste in these countries. It is recommended that proper disposal and collection plans should be prioritized in the municipalities’ agendas since air and water pollution represent the main challenge in all Arab countries. Adequate treatment, recycling, and compost production facilities should be initiated and monitored regularly to take advantage of the relatively high percentage of organic matter in most Arab countries. Proper cooperation between the informal sector, private companies, and governments should be ensured in order to achieve long-term goals in the solid waste management (SWM) sector in MENA (Middle East and Northern Africa) Arab countries. This review provides a comprehensive study of the construction waste in MENA Arab countries that will help reach the goal of achieving sustainable countries.

Disposal of Waste from Tattoo and Beauty Parlors in Poland: A Survey-Based Analysis on Epidemiological Safety

Appropriate waste management is increasingly relevant due to environmental and infectious disease transmission concerns. An anonymous observational cross-sectional study was conducted from 2013-2017 of 262 tattooists and 824 beauticians throughout Poland. Knowledge, attitudes, behavior, and compliance with blood-borne infection controls and correct waste disposal were assessed. Tattooists correctly addressed hazardous waste significantly more often than did beauticians (83.3% vs. 44.8%). Medical waste was collected by a specialist company in 90.1% of tattoo parlors and 63.3%of beauty parlors. Tattooists correctly used and disposed of sharps more frequently than beauticians (93.1% vs. 68.9%); however, 46.4% of beauticians and 12.4% of tattooists discarded waste into municipal trash, including sharps (27.1% and 2.6%, respectively). Incorrect collection and labeling of biological waste present occupational risk to waste disposal personnel. Education and instructional controls could improve health safety in this industry. Biological waste management processes are restrictive for medical services and liberal for beauty services, an industry for which they should also be applied more comprehensively.

State of the art of the management of medical and biological laboratory solid wastes in Togo

The biomedical analysis laboratory is a structure intended to carry out biological, immuno-serological, biochemical, hematological or other examinations of substances of human origin to provide information useful for the diagnosis, management, prevention or treatment of diseases. These laboratories produce solid and liquid biomedical waste (BMW) that constitutes a serious health problem for humans and their environment. Temain goal of this study is to assess the management of solid BMW produced by biomedical laboratories in Togo. It is a descriptive, exploratory and transverse study that took place from March 5 to July 5, 2018. Through a systematic random sampling 82 public and private biomedical analysis, laboratories were selected and submitted to a questionnaire. Direct observation and an interview were made with the managers of these laboratories to assess the state of BMW management. The assessment of BMW management of the prospected centers showed that among the 67.1% of public centers and 32.9% of private centers present in the study sample, only 26.3% present all laboratory units and together in 87.8% of cases. Males predominate in these facilities (85.3%) with an average age of 37.07 ± 7.34 years and work experience of 10.24 ± 5.81 years. While in 67.0% of the cases, the location of waste storage is available, only 18.3% of these locations meet international requirements. Incinerators were available in 72.0%. Plastic pedal/balance garbage cans were the most commonly used tools for collection in 32.9% of the facilities. Black bags are used 82.9% for collection. Waste generation is significant with 13.4% of the laboratories producing more than 8 kg/d. Gloves were available and taps in sufficient number in the laboratories. The most common health problems reported were respiratory disorders (32.9%) followed by gastrointestinal disorders (17.1%). BMW is in most cases (18.3%) disposed of in public dumps, while 72% of producers have received training on BMW management.

The problem of BMW management remains a concern in health facilities in Togo. Safe disposal of BMW is therefore necessary.

Occupational Health Conditions and Associated Factors Among Municipal Solid Waste Collectors in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background

Municipal solid waste collection is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. It exposes the workers to physical, biological, and chemical hazards, and occupation-related morbidities. In developing countries, municipal solid waste management-related occupational morbidities are not properly addressed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate occupational health conditions and associated factors among municipal solid waste collectors in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Materials and Methods

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 576 municipal solid waste collectors in Addis Ababa from August 2019 to September 2019. To select the study participants, a multistage sampling technique was used. The data were collected by using a structured interviewer administered questionnaire. The association between the dependent and independent variables was analyzed using binary logistic regression analysis at 95% confidence interval and variables with P-value<0.05 were considered as statistically significant to the dependent variable.

Results

A total of 576 municipal solid waste collectors participated in the study, which makes the response rate 96.9%. Among the total municipal solid waste collectors, 295 (51.2%) of them had occupational health symptoms. Work experience (AOR=1.86, 95% CI=1.01–2.18), family size (AOR=1.76, 95% CI=1.15–2.71), personal protective equipment (AOR=2.31, 95% CI=1.32–4.04), and working hours per day (AOR=1.76, 95% CI=1.22–2.68) were significantly associated with occupational health conditions.

Conclusion

The magnitude of occupational health symptoms among municipal solid waste collectors in Addis Ababa was high. Work experience, working hours per day, type of PPE, and family size were significantly associated with occupational health conditions. Therefore, providing appropriate and full body cover personal protective equipment, giving training, monitoring working hours, and conducting studies including medical evaluation is crucial.

Biochemical changes among municipal solid waste sorting workers: implications for personal protective equipment availability and use

Background. Solid waste management has emerged as one of the greatest challenges facing human and environmental health. Municipal solid waste workers are potentially exposed to a variety of occupational biohazards and safety risks in the workplace. Objective. This study aimed to evaluate the availability and use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and some biochemical changes among solid waste sorting workers. Methods. A group of solid waste sorting workers was interviewed and checked for availability, use and appropriateness of PPE using a structured questionnaire and checklist. Workers were tested for hepatic and renal function parameters and biomarkers of allergy and inflammation. Results. The level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) as a biomarker of inflammation was elevated in 12.9% while total serum immunoglobulin E was obviously high among most workers (79.2%). Workers with inadequately available, used or effective PPE were more likely to have morbidities and showed elevated serum levels of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, urea, creatinine, hsCRP and total immunoglobulin E. Conclusions. Elevated biomarkers of allergy and inflammation herald preclinical disease risks that should be included in basic health surveillance. Use of PPE should be emphasized for workers involved in solid waste sorting to effectively protect their health.