Socio economic and health status of street sweepers of Mekelle city, Ethiopia

A questionnaire survey to determine the socio economic and health status of street sweepers of Mekelle city, Ethiopia was held during April and May 2019. The random sample chosen was 137 out of a total of 297 street sweepers of the city. The major lot (86.13%) worked both in the morning and evening shifts whereas the rest 13.87% worked only in the morning shift in all days of the week. They served for a poor monthly salary of 500-1500 Birr. As a result of continuous working with municipal solid waste they developed several health problems. The most wide spread health issues were cuts and laceration (84.67%), respiratory and eye problems (58.39%) and musculoskeletal problems (53.28%). In addition, sweepers reported cases such as fracture by fall, joint pain, cough, asthma, low back pain and dysentery during the previous one year of their service. The study result also showed significant differences in health issues of different sub cities. Sweepers of Qedamay Weyane subcity were worst affected. These sweepers received no medical aid from their employers. In addition they faced several challenges at work place particularly bad weather of early morning, insults and sexual harassments by miscreants on the road. It was reckoned that 97.81% of sweepers had no job satisfaction. It is concluded that the socio economic and health status of street sweepers of Mekelle city was deplorable. In this study suggestions for improving their socio economic status and controlling or minimizing their occupational health hazards are given. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.