Prevalence of Occupational Health Problems among Employees Working at a Suburban Sanitary Land Filling Waste Management Site in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Occupational health problems are common among the employees of waste management sites. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of occupational health problems, socio demographic data and associated factors among the employees. All the employees underwent general medical examination and further details were collected using an interviewer administered questionnaire. Majority were males (87.8%). 58.5% were educated up to Ordinary Level. 65.9% of participants use alcohol and 51.2% are smokers. The common respiratory problems were cough (68.3%) and shortness of breath (43.9%). Gastritis (26.8%) and diarrhoea (22%) were the common gastrointestinal problems. Common musculoskeletal problems were backache (56.1%) and knee pain (41.6%). 61% of employees had normal BMI. 14.6% of participants had Diabetes Mellitus and 12.2% had Hypertension. A majority use protective equipments such as boots (70.7%), helmets (61.0%), gloves (58.5%) and masks (46.3%). 36.6% of them have got injured at the workplace at least once while working. 61%were vaccinated and 73.2% had participated at annual health clinics. 90.2% have their meals at the working place. We noted that there is high prevalence of occupational health problems related to respiratory, gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal systems among employees.