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.