OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of anemia and describe associated risk factors in recyclable waste pickers using human-driven pushcarts in the city of Santos. METHODS: A cross-sectional study including 253 recyclable waste pickers was conducted in the city of Santos, southeastern Brazil, in July 2005. A questionnaire was used to collect information about individual, occupational, and dietary factors. All subjects underwent an anthropometric evaluation and venous blood was drawn for complete blood count and serological testing for HIV, HCV, HBV, and syphilis. Statistical analysis included univariate and multivariate (logistic regression) analyses testing for the association between anemia and risk factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of anemia was 38.3%. Variables independently associated with anemia in the multivariate model were: gender (OR 2.8; 95% CI: 1.25-6.5), HIV infection (OR 6.45; 95% CI: 2.11-21.06), BMI (χ2 for trend, p < 0.01), length of time working as a picker (χ2 for trend, p < 0.01), and consumption of milk (χ2 for trend, p < 0.01) and animal protein (OR 0.30; 95% CI: 0.13-0.68). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of anemia among recyclable waste pickers is high even after the compulsory addition of iron to wheat and corn flours. Waste pickers have not benefited from the actions for workers' health protection established by law. Health actions targeting this occupational category should be implemented to ensure their access to health services.
Anemia; Diet; Solid waste segregator
