Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Health Care Institutions and their Staff Involved in Hospital Solid Waste Management

Abstract

Introduction: Knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) among health care workers are first key steps in developing a successful infection control program. Without good knowledge, attitude and practice, hospital waste cannot be managed effectively. The hospital waste possesses specific problems due to presence of sharps, infectious and hazardous materials in it. The unmanaged hospital solid wastes not only affect patients, attendants, nurses and medical personnel but also have impact on general population, scavengers and sanitary personnel handling waste. On account of lack of knowledge, attitude and practice of health care institutions and their staff, hospital solid waste can be a source for transmission of infectious diseases like AIDS, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Tetanus, Diarrhea, Tuberculosis, Cholera and so on.

Methods: It is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among the waste management staff working in 14 health care institutions (HCIs) of Pokhara Sub-Metropolitan City, Kaski district, Nepal. Semi- structured, self-administered questionnaire consisting of questions on knowledge, attitude and practice on hospital waste management were prepared for conducting in-depth interviews and information was recorded as provided by key respondents. Housekeeping officer, senior nurse and senior waste collector/ handler of each sampled health care institutions were taken as key respondents to collect information for questionnaire survey.

Results: This study assigned that 21.43% of housekeeping officers, 35.71% of senior nurses and 28.57% of senior waste collectors received training on hospital solid waste management. Out of the 14 HCIs surveyed, 100% of them were provided with face mask and utility gloves; 35.71% were provided with boots; 14.28% were provided with plastic apron and trousers; 7.14% were provided with eye protector and no single institution provided helmet, long sleeved shirt and respirator to waste handling staff. The study also examined that 35.71% of housekeeping officers, 50% of senior nurses, and 14.29% of senior waste collectors were vaccinated against Hepatitis B. On the other hand, 85.71% of housekeeping officers 85.71% of senior nurses, and 71.43% of senior waste collectors were vaccinated against Tetanus.

Conclusion: Knowledge, attitude and practice on hospital solid waste management were not given due attention by the HCIs and their staff involved in hospital waste management. The waste handlers were unaware about their health. The lack of awareness and accountability from actors in health care waste management lacked of well-trained human resources were the major challenges to promote effective health care waste management system. Hospital solid waste management should be operated by well trained and well-motivated personnel. Key respondents who should be one of the group of actors in each health care institution (HCI) should be related to waste management field and well trained to understand architecture, and chemistry of the problem.