title: Are municipal solid waste collectors at increased risk of Hepatitis A Virus infection? A Greek cross-sectional study.
abstract: Municipal solid waste collectors are reportedly at risk for Hepatitis A virus infection (HAV) as an occupational hazard. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and possible risk factors of HAV infection among solid waste collectors in a municipality of the broader region of Attica, Greece. A cross-sectional sero-prevalence study was conducted. Fifty (n=50) waste collectors participated in the study (response rate: 95%). The group of municipal waste collectors was compared to a convenient sample of workers not exposed to solid waste (n=83). Municipal solid waste collectors recorded a higher, but not statistically significant, prevalence of anti-HAV(+) in comparison to subjects without occupational exposure to waste (40% vs 34% respectively p=0,4). No significant associations were found between inappropriate work practices and anti- HAV (+). Education was the only factor independently associated with the risk of HAV infection. This study did not corroborate previous reports of an increased prevalence of Hepatitis A Virus infection among municipal solid waste collectors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Thessalia, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rachiotis
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Thessalia, Greece.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tsovili
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Papagiannis
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Thessalia, Greece.
authors.forename: Adelais
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Markaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology. Medical Faculty. School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, Thessalia, 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; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D062611:Solid Waste / Q000009:adverse effects*; D064091:Waste Disposal Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D062611:Solid Waste