ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND AWARENESS OF HEALTH CARE WORKERS REGARDING HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH INFECTIOUS AND NON-INFECTIOUS HOSPITAL WASTE

Abstract

Objective: To assess the awareness of healthcare workers regarding hazards associated with infectious and non-infectious hospital waste.

Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted for three months at Armed Forces institute of Cardiology and National institute of heart diseases. Methodology: A semi-structured knowledge questionnaire was developed and filled by all nursing officers, nursing technicians and healthcare workers, included in the study, for assessment of knowledge regarding the disposal and hazards associated with biomedical waste.

Results: It was found that 140/229 (61.1%) study participants had a good knowledge and awareness about hospital waste disposal and handling, whereas 70/229 (30.5%) participants had a moderate level of knowledge, and 19/229 (8.6%) had a poor level of knowledge.

Conclusion: Our results reflected that majority of the health care workers of our institute are well aware of the hospital waste management system but still continuous supervision and monitoring mechanisms should be developed for effective implementation of HCWM in hospitals. A dedicated committee on HCWM should be formulated and regular meetings should be conducted to improve the quality. Continuous training of healthcare workers should also be organized for better results in HCWM.