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 137
- Downloads 0
Psychiatric morbidity in parents of children with behavioral problems attending child guidance clinic
Introduction: Psychiatric morbidity in parents can influence behavioral problems in children and behavioral problems in child can cause heightened family distress. Our objectives were to evaluate the frequency and nature...
Self medication pattern and awareness about antibiotic resistance in urban area of Pune
Introduction: self medication is defined as the consumption of medicinal products with the purpose of treating diseases or symptoms, or even promoting health, without the prescription provided by medical professional. In...
Knowledge, attitude and practice of organ donation in urban areas of Puducherry – A Community based study
Objectives: To determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding organ donation in a selected adult urban population in Pondicherry. Methods: Simple random sampling was used to generate a sample of 100 in urban...
Cardio vascular Disease (CVD) Risk estimation among 40 years and older using WHO/ISH risk prediction charts
Introduction: Evidence based programme to reduce fatal/non-fatal CVDs can be formulated using WHO/ISH risk prediction charts. Use of combined risk approach is effective in identification of individuals requiring interven...
An epidemiological study of road traffic accident cases admitted in a tertiary care centre of Uttar Pradesh
Introduction: Worldwide about 1.3 million people die each year as a result of road traffic accidents and are the leading cause of death among young people, aged 15–29 years. Nearly half (46%) of those dying on the world’...