Biomedical waste handling and knowledge of its health hazards among waste handlers in a tertiary hospital in Sokoto, Nigeria
Journal Title: Public Health Review - Year 2018, Vol 5, Issue 1
Abstract
Background: Biomedical wasteshave negative effects on human health and environment; therefore all persons exposed to the waste are potentially at risk, especially waste collectors that handle poorly segregated and containerized waste. The study aim was to describe the pattern of biomedical waste handling and assess knowledge of its health hazards among handlers in a Tertiary Hospital in Sokoto, Nigeria. Materials and Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. A total of 180 waste handlers were selected using a simple random sampling method and close-ended interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect data. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23.0 and result presented in table. Results: Nearly half of the respondents were aged between 25-29 years and majority (81%) of the waste handlers are private employees while the public employees accounted for 19%. Wastes from different unit of the hospital were poorly segregated and commonly collected using inappropriate containers without lining. Although only 11% of the respondents received training on waste handling, 98% had good knowledge of health hazards of biomedical waste. All the handlers reported wearing personal protective equipment when handling biomedical waste but only 19% were on PPE during work through inspection. Conclusion: Biomedical wastes from different units were poorly segregated and collected using inappropriate containers. Nearly all the respondents had good knowledge of its health hazards but only few (11%) had received training on biomedical waste handling. Waste should be properly segregated into appropriate containers, PPE to be made readilyavailability and ensure compliance to their use.
Authors and Affiliations
Aminu Umar Kaoje, Salihu Jega Garba, Nneka Christina Okafoagu, Mansur Olayinka Raji, Yahaya Mohammed, Umar Mohammed Ango
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP338663
- DOI 10.17511/ijphr.2018.i1.04.
- Views 139
- Downloads 0
Assessing the applicability and usability of patient satisfaction levels as a tool for judging quality of service in a medical college hospital in Punjab, North India
Introduction: Healthcare industries have seen recent movements towards continuous quality improvement at the global level. Patient satisfaction is one of the established yardsticks to measure success of the services bein...
Prevalence of respiratory illness among A.C users at Indore city: A case control analytical study
Background-In hot, humid climates air conditioners are not only a modern comfort but an essential element in getting through those sweltering, sticky days. But, like most modern conveniences, air conditioning also has it...
Family health survey: community diagnosis conducted in an urban field practice area of Hyderabad
Background: In India, routine reporting of health status by the health and social welfare functionaries is suboptimal. Surveys to assess the health status and living conditions of population are essential to monitor the...
An interventional study with health education to modify the risk factors for the control of blood pressure among the newly diagnosed adult hypertensives, Andhra Pradesh
Background: India is developing rapidly, which is evidenced by its developmental indicators. The country is in transitional period between developing and developed nations. With the effect of globalization, the lifestyle...
Prevalence and determinants of overweight/obesity among affluent school children
Background & Aim: Childhood obesity has a strong association with several non-communicable diseases. The longer the duration of obesity, higher is the risk. Hence, the present study was undertaken to study the prevalence...