Hepatitis B virus infection and waste collection: prevalence, risk factors, and infection pathway.

Background: Waste collectors have a potential risk of infectious diseases. The aim of the study was to assess; the prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV), risk factors for infection and possible ways of virus transmission among municipal solid waste workers (MSWWs) in a municipality of central Greece.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the employees of a municipality in Central Greece. The prevalence of an HBV infection biological marker (anti-Hbc) and its association with exposure to waste, socio-demographic factors, and history of occupational injuries with sharp objects/needle sticks was examined among 208 employees.

Results: The prevalence of HBV infection among the municipal waste collectors was 23%. Logistic regression analysis showed that exposure to waste (OR = 4.05;95%CI = 1.23-13.33) and age (OR = 5.22;95% CI = 1.35-20.1) were independently associated with the anti-Hbc positivity. Moreover, waste collectors who reported occupational injuries with needle sticks were at higher risk of HBV infection (RR = 2.64; 95% CI = 1.01-6.96).

Conclusions: Occupational exposure to waste is a possible risk factor for HBV infection. Occupational injury with sharp instruments could be a means of hepatitis B virus transmission. Immunization of MSWWs and adoption of more safe ways for waste collection could be considered in order to control the risk of HBV infection.