Social vulnerabilities of female waste pickers in Brasília, Brazil

Arch Environ Occup Health. 2021;76(3):173-180. doi: 10.1080/19338244.2020.1787315. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Abstract

Worldwide, waste pickers are exposed to adverse health effects resulting from hazards at work. This study aimed to identify possible gender disparities among waste pickers. A quantitative cross-sectional epidemiological study, using semi-structured data was conducted in Estrutural's dumpsite, Brasília, Brazil. It included 1,025 waste pickers, with 67% being female. Most of them lived without partners (73.7%), have 3 to 4 children (47.8%), and have a lower monthly income (62.6%<USD 125) when compared to men (p < 0,001). Women also suffered from worse health outcomes than men: hypertension- 26.3%; 16.2% (p < 0.001), bronchitis- 16.4%; 9.7% (p 0,003), diarrhea- 28.3; 17.0 and worms- 16.0; 5.5% (p < 0,001), respectively. This study highlighted the existence of gender differences among waste pickers, which suggests a greater vulnerability of the female population who need policies, programs and awareness of society to ensure safe working and living conditions both for them and their children.

Keywords: Equity; female; gender; vulnerability; waste.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Health / statistics & numerical data*
  • Recycling / statistics & numerical data
  • Refuse Disposal / statistics & numerical data*
  • Sex Factors
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Vulnerable Populations / statistics & numerical data*
  • Workplace