LAUSR

Background In South Africa, waste is disposed in landfill sites where waste pickers collect recyclable waste. These informal workers are exposed to various health hazards. However, seeking health care is often determined by the individual’s perception of the status of their health. The objective of this study was to find predictors of health perceptions among waste pickers in Johannesburg Municipality, South Africa. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted among waste pickers aged 18 years or older, working in major landfill sites in Johannesburg. Information on possible risk factors for health perception were collected. Health perception was defined as very good, good, fair, and poor. Ordinal logistic regression model with landfill sites taken as a cluster variable was done to find factors associated with health perception. Results A total of 361 participants were included in this study. More than 70% of them were males. Their median age was 31 years (interquartile range (IQR): 27–39). Ever smoked (OR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.112–2.665), mental ill health risk (OR: 1.87; 95% CI: 2.849), chronic diseases (OR: 2.34; 95% CI:1.479–3.689), and history of infectious diseases (OR: 2.07; 95% CI: 1.779–3.635) were all statistically significantly associated with increased odds of reporting poor health. Participants who reported an injury were less likely to report poor health (OR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.307–0.911). Conclusions Predictors for reporting poor health among waste pickers were smoking, chronic and infectious diseases, and mental health risk. However, injuries from cuts showed a decreased odd of reporting poor health. Mitigating these risk factors including health promotion as well as improving primary health care may improve perceptions of good health among waste pickers in SA.