title: Municipal waste collectors and hepatitis B and C virus infection: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: There is some evidence that municipal waste collectors are at risk of Hepatitis B virus infection (HBV). Published information on risk of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection among waste collectors is scant. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and possible risk factors of HBV and HCV infections among waste collectors in a municipality of the broader region of Attica, Greece. A cross-sectional sero-prevalence study was conducted in a municipality of the broader region of Attica, Greece. Fifty waste collectors participated in the study (response rate: 95%). The group of municipal waste collectors was compared to a convenient sample of white collar employees not exposed to waste (No 83). Waste collectors recorded a significantly higher prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection (anti-HBc positivity) in comparison to the reference group (15% vs. 2.5%, respectively; p .001). Waste collectors who reported frequent exposure to needle-stick injuries had higher risk of HBV infection (RR 8.28; 95% CI 1.076-63.79; p 0.033). Only one municipal waste collector was anti-HCV positive. Our study corroborates previous results of an increased prevalence of Hepatitis B infection among municipal waste collectors. In addition we found that needle stick injuries were associated with the risk of HBV infection. By contrast, HCV infection does not seem to represent a significant occupational hazard among waste collectors. Vaccination against HBV among municipal solid waste collectors and promotion and use of safer methods for the collection of non-hospital medical waste could represent potential measures for the prevention of Hepatitis B Virus infection among municipal waste collectors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, School of Sciences, University of Thessaly, Thessalia; Private Family Practice Unit, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tsovili
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, School of Sciences, University of Thessaly, Thessalia; Private Family Practice Unit, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rachiotis
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, School of Sciences, University of Thessaly, Thessalia; Private Family Practice Unit, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Emmanouil K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Symvoulakis
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, School of Sciences, University of Thessaly, Thessalia; Private Family Practice Unit, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Efthimios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Thanasias
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, School of Sciences, University of Thessaly, Thessalia; Private Family Practice Unit, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Olganthi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Giannisopoulou
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, School of Sciences, University of Thessaly, Thessalia; Private Family Practice Unit, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Papagiannis
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, School of Sciences, University of Thessaly, Thessalia; Private Family Practice Unit, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eleftheriou
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, School of Sciences, University of Thessaly, Thessalia; Private Family Practice Unit, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hadjichristodoulou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002947:Cities; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016602:Needlestick Injuries; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D064091:Waste Disposal Facilities
chemical_list: D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens