title: Hepatitis A virus infection and the waste handling industry: a seroprevalence study.
abstract: Waste collectors have a theoretical risk of Hepatitis A virus infection. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis A virus infection (HAV) among municipal solid waste workers (MSWWs) in a municipality of central Greece.  A seroprevalence study of HAV was conducted among 208 employees (100 waste collectors and 108 municipal gardeners) of a municipality in central Greece. Total antibodies against HAV were measured and information regarding potential risk factors was collected through a face to face interview. The prevalence of HAV infection among the municipal waste collectors was 61% vs. 27% among municipal gardeners. Logistic regression analysis showed that exposure to waste (OR = 2.87; 95% CI = 1.24-6.62) and age (OR = 22.57;  95% CI = 7.29-69.88) were independently associated with the anti-HAV positivity. Moreover, waste collectors who reported smoking/drinking/eating during waste collection were at higher risk of HAV infection (RR = 2.84; 95% CI = 1.73-4.63). Stratified analysis among municipal waste collectors indicated an independent association between eating/smoking/ drinking during waste collection and anti-HAV (+) (OR = 3.85; 95% CI = 1.34-11.06). Occupational exposure to waste is a potential risk factor for HAV infection. Smoking/eating/drinking during waste collection could be the mode of hepatitis A virus transmission among municipal waste collectors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece. gsrachmed@yahoo.com
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rachiotis
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Papagiannis
authors.forename: Efthimios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thanasias
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dounias
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hadjichristodoulou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D030041:Hepatitis A virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D062611:Solid Waste; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D035922:Hepatitis A Antibodies; D062611:Solid Waste