Solid waste motor tricycle operators in Kumasi, Ghana, harbour respiratory pathogens; a public health threat.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The use of motor tricycles in transporting municipal solid waste (MSW) within urban and peri-urban towns in Ghana is on the increase. This activity often leads to the introduction of pathogen-containing bioaerosols into the environment, as well as to the tricycle operators. We sought to investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of respiratory pathogens among solid waste tricycle operators.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 155 solid waste transporters who use motor tricycles using semi-structured interviews. Nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained from participants and screened for respiratory pathogens using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR).

Results

Pathogens detected in participants were SARS-CoV-2 (n = 10, 6.5%) and Streptococcus

SUBMITTER: Armoh SY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10124853 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature