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Screening of Cases of Chronic hepatitis C viral infection among municipal solid waste collectors in Minia city, Egypt

Introduction: Waste collectors have a potential risk of infectious diseases, where more than one third of exposures to blood-borne pathogens occurring among garbage collectors. Egypt became one of the highest hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection prevalent countries in the world, which increased the concern regarding the risk for disease transmission among municipal solid waste (MSW) collectors. Lack of education and awareness are the corner stones for a failure to appreciate safety and preventive measures during waste handling. Aim of the study: Detection of municipal solid waste collectors in Minia city, Egypt, who probably have HCV infection and identifying associated risk factors of HCV infection among waste workers. Subjects and methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in El-Minia city on 171 municipal solid waste collectors aged 29 to 61 years old. An interview administered questionnaire was used and included occupational data, socio demographic data and different risk factors for HCV infection. Blood samples were collected for ELISA screening test for HCV antibodies. Results: laboratory results confirmed that 21.6 % of the municipal solid waste collectors were anti-HCV antibodies sero-positive. MSW collectors who experienced sharp injuries during the last 12 months of work and those who had history of dental procedures have 9.5 and 2.91 times more chance to be anti-HCV antibodies seropositive respectively. Conclusion and Recommendations: Municipal solid waste collectors are exposed to sharp injuries and are at risk to acquiring HCV infection worker health surveillance should be applied, including baseline and periodic medical examinations. Health education and providing personal protective equipment should also be offered.