Work-Related and Behavioral Characteristics of Formal and Informal Waste Collectors in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed the work-related and behavioral characteristics of formal and informal waste collectors in Rivers State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional design was employed for this study. 314 formal and 314 informal waste collection workers were sampled for the study using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a self-designed pretested questionnaire, observational checklists, clinical, laboratory measurements and a study guide. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21 to analyze the data collected from respondents. The finding shows that at p = 0.05, the calculated chi-square value of 455.661 with the degree of freedom 92 was more than the critical chi-square value of 115.390. Thus, the null hypothesis is rejected and the alternative hypothesis is accepted, which states a significant difference in the work-related and behavioral characteristics among formal and informal waste collectors in Rivers State. However, training and retraining the informal waste collectors, enforcing personal protective equipment, and counselling on using hard drugs will go a long way in arresting their poor behavior.