Pemeriksaan HBsAG Menggunakan Metode Imunokromatografi Pada Pemulung di TPA Sekitar Lowok Waru Kota Malang

Waste pickers are among the occupational groups potentially exposed to biological hazards, including the hepatitis B virus (HBV), due to contact with waste materials and sharp objects in their working environment. This study aimed to describe the results of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg) screening among waste pickers at three waste disposal sites in Malang City. A quantitative descriptive approach was employed involving 15 male waste pickers from Candi Panggung, Tlogomas, and Merjosari waste disposal sites, selected through purposive sampling. HBsAg screening was performed using capillary blood specimens with the immunochromatographic rapid test (ICT) method. The collected data were analyzed descriptively using frequency distributions and percentages. The results showed that the largest proportion of respondents was aged 40–50 years (33%), and all respondents (100%) had worked as waste pickers for more than five years. HBsAg screening identified 12 respondents (80%) with non-reactive results and 3 respondents (20%) with reactive results. These findings indicate the presence of reactive HBsAg screening results among the participants; however, further laboratory examinations are required to confirm their hepatitis B infection status. Due to the limited sample size and descriptive research design, the findings cannot establish the source of infection or a causal relationship between occupational exposure and HBV transmission. This study highlights the importance of occupational health education, appropriate personal protective equipment, and access to follow-up healthcare services for waste pickers.