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. 2021 May 14;16(5):e0251621.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0251621. eCollection 2021.

Prevalence and associated factors of acute respiratory infection among street sweepers and door-to-door waste collectors in Dessie City, Ethiopia: A comparative cross-sectional study

Betelhiem Eneyew  1 , Tadesse Sisay  1 , Adinew Gizeyatu  1 , Mistir Lingerew  1 , Awoke Keleb  1 , Asmamaw Malede  1 , Ayechew Ademas  1 , Mengesha Dagne  1 , Mesfin Gebrehiwot  1 , Yitayish Damtie  2 , Tesfaye Birhane Tegegne  2 , Elsabeth Addisu  2 , Zinabu Fentaw  3 , Birhanu Wagaye  4 , Alelgne Feleke  1 , Seada Hassen  1 , Gete Berihun  1 , Masresha Abebe  1 , Leykun Berhanu  1 , Tarikuwa Natnael  1 , Mohammed Yenuss  1 , Gebremariam Ketema  5 , Kassahun Bogale  5 , Tilaye Matebe Yayeh  6 , Maru Selamsew  7 , Alemwork Baye  8 , Metadel Adane  1
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Prevalence and associated factors of acute respiratory infection among street sweepers and door-to-door waste collectors in Dessie City, Ethiopia: A comparative cross-sectional study

Betelhiem Eneyew et al. PLoS One. .

Expression of concern in

Abstract

Background: Acute respiratory infections are rising in developing countries including Ethiopia. Lack of evidence for the prevalence and associated factors of acute respiratory infection among street sweepers and door-to-door waste collectors in Dessie City, Ethiopia is a challenge for the implementation of appropriate measures to control acute respiratory infection. Thus, this study was designed to address the gaps.

Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 84 door-to-door waste collectors and 84 street sweepers from March to May 2018. A simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Data were collected by trained data collectors using a pretested structured questionnaire and on-the-spot direct observation checklist. Data were analyzed using three different binary logistic regression models at 95% confidence interval (CI): the first model (Model I) was used to identify factors associated with acute respiratory infection among street sweepers, whereas the second model (Model II) was used to identify factors associated with acute respiratory infection among door-to-door waste collectors, and the third model (Model III) was used for pooled analysis to identify factors associated with acute respiratory infection among both street sweepers and door-to-door waste collectors. From each model multivariable logistic regression, variables with a p-value <0.05 were taken as factors significantly associated with acute respiratory infection.

Results: The overall prevalence of acute respiratory infection among studied population was 42.85% with 95% CI (35.1, 50.0%). The prevalence of acute respiratory infection among street sweepers was 48.80% (95% CI: 37.3, 64.8%) and among door-to-door waste collectors was 36.90% (95% CI: 27.4, 46.4%). There was no statistically significant difference between the prevalence of acute respiratory infection among the two groups due to the overlapping of the 95% CI. Among the street sweepers, we found that factors significantly associated with acute respiratory infection were not cleaning personal protective equipment after use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 2.40; 95% CI: 1.15, 5.51) and use of coal/wood for cooking (AOR: 3.95; 95% CI: 1.52, 7.89), whereas among door-to-door waste collectors, were not using a nose/mouth mask while on duty (AOR: 5.57; 95% CI: 1.39, 9.32) and not receiving health and safety training (AOR: 3.82; 95% CI: 1.14-7.03) were factors significantly associated with acute respiratory infection among door-to-door-waste collectors. From the pooled analysis, we found that not using a nose/mouth mask while on duty (AOR: 2.19; 95% CI: 1.16, 4.53) and using coal/wood for cooking (AOR: 2.74; 95% CI: 1.18, 6.95) were factors significantly associated with acute respiratory infection for both street sweepers and door-to-door waste collectors.

Conclusion: The prevalence of acute respiratory infection among street sweepers and door-to-door waste collectors has no statistically significant difference. For both groups, not using a nose/mouth mask while on duty and using coal/wood for cooking fuel factors associated with acute respiratory infection. The municipality should motivate and monitor workers use of personal protective equipment including masks and gloves. Workers should use a nose/mouth mask while on duty and should choose a clean energy source for cooking at home.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Proportional allocation of sample size among enterprises of door-to-door waste collectors in Dessie City, Ethiopia, March to May 2018.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Proportional allocation of sample size among enterprises of street sweepers in Dessie City, Ethiopia, March to May 2018.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Availability of personal protective equipment among street sweepers and door-to-door waste collectors in Dessie City, Ethiopia, March to May 2018.
Fig 4
Fig 4. Utilization of personal protective equipment among street sweepers and door-to-door waste collectors in Dessie City, Ethiopia, March to May 2018.
Fig 5
Fig 5. Prevalence of acute respiratory infection among street sweepers and door-to-door waste collectors in Dessie City, Ethiopia, March to May 2018.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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