الفهرس 
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Abstract
Aim of the study:
Screening of HCV infection among municipal solid waste collectors in Minia city, Egypt and identifying associated risk factors of HCV infection among waste collectors.
Subjects and methods:
This is a descriptive cross sectional study, carried out in El-Minia city during the period from November 2016 to April 2017. The study was conducted to screen the cases of chronic HCV infection among municipal solid waste collectors.
The MSW collectors were interviewed at their regional offices according to their geographical distribution.
Results:
Laboratory results confirmed that 21.6% of them were HCV antibodies sero-positive.
This study showed that 71.9% of the studied MSW collectors reported exposing to sharp injuries during their last 12 month of work. The mean number of injuries was 6.04± 4.5 times per year.
There was significant difference (p= 0.001) between positive and negative HCV antibodies MSW collectors regarding sharp injury; 94.6% of positive reported exposure to sharp injury during last year of work.
There was significant difference (P= 0.018) regarding number of sharp injury between positive and negative HCV antibodies MSW collectors; 61.5% of workers with history of sharp injury sex to ten times during last year of work were seropositive versus 26.1% workers injured once to five times.
There was significant difference (p= 0.017) between positive and negative anti-HCV antibodies MSW collectors regarding history of dental procedure; 78.4% of positive cases had history of dental procedure before.
MSW collectors who experienced sharp injuries during the last year of work and those who had history of dental procedures have 9.5 and 2.9 times more likely to be anti-HCV antibodies seropositive respectively.
Recommendations:
There are numerous safety measures that could be implemented to reduce the risk of exposure to HCV infection and other blood borne pathogens:
1. Provision of protective clothing, gloves and boots that should be fit for purpose.
2. Provide solid waste workers with clean drinking water and sanitation facilities and a place to wash with soap.
3. Periodic worker health surveillance, including baseline and follow- up medical examinations
4. Health Education: about the health hazards to change the working behavior of this vulnerable group.