Prevalence and associated factors of acute respiratory infection among street sweepers and door-to-door waste collectors in Dessie City, Ethiopia: A comparative cross-sectional study

Background: Acute respiratory infections are rising in developing countries including Ethiopia. Lack of evidence for the prevalence and associated factors of acute respiratory infection among street sweepers and door-to-door waste collectors in Dessie City, Ethiopia is a challenge for the implementation of appropriate measures to control acute respiratory infection. Thus, this study was designed to address the gaps. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 84 door-to-door waste collectors and 84 street sweepers from March to May 2018. A simple random sampling technique was used to select study participants. Data were collected by trained data collectors using a pretested structured questionnaire and on-the-spot direct observation checklist. Data were analyzed using three different binary logistic regression models at 95% confidence interval (CI): the first model (Model I) was used to identify factors associated with acute respiratory infection among street sweepers, whereas the second model (Model II) was used to identify factors associated with acute respiratory infection among door-to-door waste collectors, and the third model (Model III) was used for pooled analysis to identify factors associated with acute respiratory infection among both street sweepers and door-to-door waste collectors. From each model multivariable logistic regression, variables with a p-value