Common Mental Health Disorders among Informal Waste Pickers in Johannesburg, South Africa 2018—A Cross-Sectional Study

Matimba Makhubele, Khuliso Ravhuhali, Lazarus Kuonza, Angela Mathee, Spo Kgalamono, Felix Made, Nohlanhla Tlotleng, Tahira Kootbodien, Vusi Ntlebi, Kerry Wilson and Nisha Naicker
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Matimba Makhubele: School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
Khuliso Ravhuhali: South African Field Epidemiology Training Program, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg 2192, South Africa
Lazarus Kuonza: School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
Angela Mathee: School of Public Health, University of Witwatersrand, Parktown 2000, South Africa
Spo Kgalamono: School of Public Health, University of Witwatersrand, Parktown 2000, South Africa
Felix Made: National Institute of Occupational Health, National Health Laboratory Service, Braamfontein, Johannesburg 2001, South Africa
Nohlanhla Tlotleng: National Institute of Occupational Health, National Health Laboratory Service, Braamfontein, Johannesburg 2001, South Africa
Tahira Kootbodien: National Institute of Occupational Health, National Health Laboratory Service, Braamfontein, Johannesburg 2001, South Africa
Vusi Ntlebi: National Institute of Occupational Health, National Health Laboratory Service, Braamfontein, Johannesburg 2001, South Africa
Kerry Wilson: National Institute of Occupational Health, National Health Laboratory Service, Braamfontein, Johannesburg 2001, South Africa
Nisha Naicker: School of Public Health, University of Witwatersrand, Parktown 2000, South Africa

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 14, 1-9

Abstract: Waste-picking is an income-generating opportunity for individuals living in poverty. Waste picking is associated with a range of risk factors for common mental disorders (CMD). This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with CMD among waste pickers in Johannesburg. A cross-sectional study analyzed secondary data for 365 waste pickers. A validated Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) was used to assess CMD. Multivariable logistic regression was fitted to identify factors associated with CMD. The overall prevalence of CMD among waste pickers was 37.3%. The odds of having CMD were 2.5 and 3.2 higher in females and cigarette smokers, respectively ( p = 0.019 and p = 0.003). Life enjoyment (Adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.54, p = 0.02) and a good quality of life (aOR 0.34, p ≤ 0.001) were associated with lower odds of CMD. The high prevalence of CMD among waste pickers was significantly associated with cigarette smoking, being female, not enjoying life, and a poor quality of life. Mental health awareness of CMD will assist with the prevention, early detection, and comprehensive management of CMD among waste pickers.

Keywords: common mental disorders; waste pickers; landfill sites (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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