Physical and Psychosocial Occupational Hazards Among Solid Waste Collectors in Swali Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

Eke Odimiekumo David; Idawarifa Frank Cookey Gam; Ogbonda Priscilia; Nyekpunwo; Owhonka Aleruchi

doi:10.56201/ijgem.vol.12.no1.2026.pg16.31

📄 Download Paper

Physical and Psychosocial Occupational Hazards Among Solid Waste Collectors in Swali Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

Eke Odimiekumo David, Idawarifa Frank Cookey Gam, Ogbonda Priscilia, Nyekpunwo, Owhonka Aleruchi

Abstract

Proper solid waste disposal is vital for public and environmental health, and waste collectors play a central role in maintaining community sanitation. Solid waste collectors experience high rates of injuries such as cuts and musculoskeletal disorders in Africa, largely due to inadequate PPE, poor training, and limited healthcare access. This study is significant because it fills the gap in community-level data on physical and psychosocial occupational hazards among solid waste collectors in Swali, Yenagoa, and providing evidence to improve occupational health and safety practices. The aim of this study was to assess the physical and psychosocial occupational hazards among waste collectors in Swali Community, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. This research adopted a cross-sectional survey design. The target population comprised of all formal waste collectors in the Swali community who were exposed to physical and psychosocial occupational hazards. A total of 125 waste collectors were selected using a simple random sampling technique. Data was collected through structured questionnaire and observational checklist over a period of seven (7) weeks and analyzed using descriptive statistics with the aid of SPSS version 25. Findings revealed that the most frequently reported physical occupational hazard was cuts or puncture wounds with 44.8% of respondents agreeing and 24.0% strongly agreeing, yielding the highest mean score of 3.67 ± 1.18. Regarding psychosocial hazards, 52% reported experiencing stress due to your job, while 51% reported verbal abuse while working. In conclusion, the study found that waste collectors in Swali, Yenagoa, experience significant physical and psychosocial hazards. It is recommended that PPE compliance policies should be enforced and provision of safe work technique.

References

Abdu, L. A., Usman, S. A., & Sulaiman, A. S. (2021). Occupational safety practices and hazard exposures among municipal solid waste workers. Journal of Environmental and Occupational Health, 10(3), 129–137. Adedoyin, R. A., Okafor, U. C., & Yusuf, A. (2022). Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among solid waste collectors: An ergonomic perspective. Nigerian Journal of Environmental Health, 19(2), 45–54. Didar-Ul Islam, S. M., Binte Safiq, M., Bodrud-Doza, M., & Mamun, M. A. (2020). Perception and attitudes toward PPE-related waste disposal amid COVID-19 in Bangladesh: An exploratory study. Frontiers in Public Health, 8, 592345. Ekpe, D. S., Akpos, E. N., & Wokoma, F. S. (2022). Occupational exposure and health risks among waste handlers in Yenagoa metropolis. Bayelsa Journal of Environmental Health, 4(2), 45–53. El-Sharaby, I., et al. (2022). Musculoskeletal disorders and occupational injuries among waste collectors. Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine, 46(2), 119-134. Ezeah, C., & Roberts, C. L. (2020). Occupational health risks among municipal solid waste workers in Lagos, Nigeria. Waste Management & Research, 38(11), 1205–1215. Gyasi-Sarpong, K. C., Appiah-Brempong, E., & Osei, F. A. (2022). Stigma and mental well- being of solid waste workers in urban Ghana. Waste Management & Research, 40(10), 1356–1365. Ibaba, S. I., & Eremie, C. M. (2023). Social stigmatization and mental health of informal waste workers in urban Bayelsa. Nigerian Journal of Psychology and Mental Health, 5(1), 22– 30. Iheanacho, O. S., Nwankwo, C. N., & Ofoegbu, C. U. (2023). Psychosocial risk factors among urban sanitation workers: A Nigerian perspective. Journal of Public Mental Health, 22(1), 89–97. Kaza, S., Yao, L., Bhada-Tata, P., & Woerden, F. (2018). What a waste 2.0: A global snapshot of solid waste management to 2050. World Bank Publications. Kretchy, I. A., Asiedu-Danso, M., & Koduah, A. (2020). Occupational health risks and coping strategies among solid waste workers in Accra, Ghana. BMC Public Health, 20, 852. Le, A. B., Nguyen, Q. N., & Thompson, J. (2024). A pilot study on psychosocial factors and perceptions of occupational hazards among solid waste workers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(3), 1784. Lissah, S. Y., Ayanore, M. A., Krugu, J., & Ruiter, R. A. C. (2020). Psychosocial risk, work- related stress, and job satisfaction among domestic waste collectors in the Ho Municipality of Ghana: A phenomenological study. Journal of Occupational Health, 62(1) Mohammadi, G., Soltani, A., & Habibi, E. (2019). Physical workload and musculoskeletal symptoms among municipal solid waste workers. Work: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment and Rehabilitation, 62(4), 567–574. Nkere, O. U., & Iwunze, E. C. (2024). Roles and barriers to waste management among garbage collectors in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, Nigeria. Asian Journal of Research in Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 13(2), 13-20 Nzeadibe, T. C., & Ajaero, C. A. (2011). Hazardous waste management and informal sector workers in Nigeria: Health risks and policy implications. African Environmental Journal, 6(3), 134-145. IIARD International Journal of Geography & Environmental Management Omoleke, I. I., Ibraheem, R. M., & Adeoye, I. A. (2021). Solid waste collection and disposal practices in Nigeria: Health and safety concerns of informal sector workers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(12), 6551. Osibanjo, O., Schluep, M., & Nnorom, I. C. (2018). Prevalence and injury patterns among electronic waste workers in the informal sector in Nigeria. Waste Management & Research, 36(12), 1198-1204. Schenck, C. J., Blaauw, P. F., & Viljoen, K. (2020). Waste pickers on the periphery of urban labor markets: Health and safety challenges. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(5), 1555. Solomon, M., et al. (2023). Magnitude and possible risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among street cleaners and solid waste workers: A cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health, 23, 2105. Tukur, M. J., & Muduru, A. T. (2023). Assessment of the practice of safety measures among waste collectors in Katsina State, Nigeria. International Journal of Innovative Healthcare Research, 11(4), 10-15. Xiong, Y., et al. (2025). Psychosocial work factors influencing health, safety, well-being, and productivity of waste collectors in developing countries: A scoping review. BMC Psychology, 13, 885.

Physical and Psychosocial Occupational Hazards Among Solid Waste Collectors in Swali Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

Abstract

References

More Articles from IIARD INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT