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Abstract Details
Hepatitis B and C prevalence in waste pickers: a global meta-analysis
J Public Health (Oxf). 2022 Dec 1;44(4):761-769.doi: 10.1093/pubmed/fdab285.
1Research and Development Department, Ezequiel Dias Foundation 30510-010, Brazil.
2Department of Community Health, National University, SanDiego, CA 92037, USA.
3Faculty of Ceilandia, Public Health, University of Brasilia, Brasilia 72220-275, Brazil.
4Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO), M2 7EN, UK.
Abstract
Background: The objective of this research was to use a meta-analysis to understand the prevalence of hepatitis B or C in waste pickers worldwide.
Methods: Epidemiological studies on hepatitis B and C in waste pickers were included adopting a systematic review with meta-analysis. Each selected article had its quality scored by all authors, evaluated according to the Loney's criteria, and evaluated for quality and bias verified with a funnel plot.
Results: After employing Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines, there were 12 studies used for this meta-analysis. The rate of hepatitis B seropositivity was 0.15 (95% CI 0.10-0.20), and hepatitis C was 0.08 (95% CI 0.04-0.12). This information suggests that waste pickers are exposed to many risks associated with poor quality of life working conditions as well as low health literacy rates.
Conclusion: The results of this meta-analysis confirm the vulnerability of waste pickers to hepatitis B and C infection and reinforce the importance of using personal protective equipment and immunizing workers.