Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of Health Care Waste Management by Health Workers in Angal Hospital Nebbi District

Abstract

Background Health care waste is a special category of waste which needs special precautions while handling. Some types of health care wastes pose a risk on human health as well as contaminate the environment.

Objective The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of health care waste management among health care workers in Angal Hospital so as to improve on the way health care waste is managed in the hospital.

Method A descriptive cross sectional study was employed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of health care waste among health care workers in Angal Hospital. A total of 144 health workers from the hospital were included in this study using non probability, convenient sampling technique. A structured questionnaire and observational check list were used to collect data. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 16.

Result From the assessment done indicate that 70.2% had knowledge on health care waste though one 25% of the respondents gave a correct definition of health care waste, with only 59.6% of the health care workers had never attended any continuing medical education or workshop or conference on health care waste management. 100% of the respondents mentioned HIV/AIDS as the main disease transmitted by poorly managed health waste 96.5% of the health workers takes full responsibility on health care waste management in their units which showed good attitude, there was a fair practices on waste management with 64.4% reported that they segregate waste into infectious and non-infectious waste. Segregation of waste was averagely practiced in the hospital. Most of the wards had waste collection containers placed within the working areas.

Conclusion Health care waste management is affected by knowledge and attitude health workers. Some of health workers had knowledge gap and did not practice healthcare wastes management. Hence, providing knowledge, adequate numbers of waste bins, regular training and supervision on health care waste management are recommended to improve the problems of poor management of health care wastes.