Scholarlink

Background <p>Medical waste management is a critical global public health concern, particularly in developing countries, where inadequate disposal practices pose significant environmental and health risks. This study assessed the medical waste generation rate, management practices, and healthcare workers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices at Bule Hora University Teaching Hospital, Ethiopia.</p> Methods <p>A cross-sectional study was conducted utilizing direct waste measurement, observational checklists, and structured questionnaires administered to 115 healthcare workers. Inferential statistical tests, such as linear regression and chi-square tests, were applied to examine the relationships between healthcare workers' demographics and their waste management knowledge and practices.</p> Results <p>The hospital generated an average of 687.72&#xa0;kg of healthcare waste per day, with 56.94% classified as general waste and 43.06% as hazardous waste. The waste generation rate was 1.58&#xa0;kg/bed/day, with infectious waste accounting for 33.78% of the total. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices analysis revealed that while 88.69% of respondents recognized the importance of proper waste management, only 52.17% believed that healthcare waste was properly managed in their service unit. Segregation practices were inadequate, with only 28.69% having received formal training on healthcare waste management. The primary disposal methods—open burning (65.21%) and placenta pit burial—raise concerns about environmental contamination and public health risks. Furthermore, 79.13% of healthcare workers acknowledged that contaminated needles could cause Hepatitis B, yet only 24.34% reported that the facility provided Hepatitis B vaccination for staff.</p> Conclusions <p>The study highlights significant gaps in waste segregation, disposal practices, and healthcare workers’ training. It recommends the implementation of standardized waste segregation protocols, safe disposal mechanisms, and strict regulatory enforcement. Strengthening institutional capacity through comprehensive training programs and raising awareness among healthcare workers is essential to improving medical waste management in Ethiopian healthcare facilities.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Assessment of medical waste generation, disposal practices and health implications at Bule Hora University Teaching Hospital, West Guji, Ethiopia

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月28日

查看全文
  • Abaineh Kefale Gashaw,
  • Sekhar Pitta,
  • Leta Diro Jifera

摘要

Background

Medical waste management is a critical global public health concern, particularly in developing countries, where inadequate disposal practices pose significant environmental and health risks. This study assessed the medical waste generation rate, management practices, and healthcare workers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices at Bule Hora University Teaching Hospital, Ethiopia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted utilizing direct waste measurement, observational checklists, and structured questionnaires administered to 115 healthcare workers. Inferential statistical tests, such as linear regression and chi-square tests, were applied to examine the relationships between healthcare workers' demographics and their waste management knowledge and practices.

Results

The hospital generated an average of 687.72 kg of healthcare waste per day, with 56.94% classified as general waste and 43.06% as hazardous waste. The waste generation rate was 1.58 kg/bed/day, with infectious waste accounting for 33.78% of the total. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices analysis revealed that while 88.69% of respondents recognized the importance of proper waste management, only 52.17% believed that healthcare waste was properly managed in their service unit. Segregation practices were inadequate, with only 28.69% having received formal training on healthcare waste management. The primary disposal methods—open burning (65.21%) and placenta pit burial—raise concerns about environmental contamination and public health risks. Furthermore, 79.13% of healthcare workers acknowledged that contaminated needles could cause Hepatitis B, yet only 24.34% reported that the facility provided Hepatitis B vaccination for staff.

Conclusions

The study highlights significant gaps in waste segregation, disposal practices, and healthcare workers’ training. It recommends the implementation of standardized waste segregation protocols, safe disposal mechanisms, and strict regulatory enforcement. Strengthening institutional capacity through comprehensive training programs and raising awareness among healthcare workers is essential to improving medical waste management in Ethiopian healthcare facilities.