Knowledge, Attitudes And Practices Of Health Care Waste Management Among Private Health Care Practitioners In Gulu Municipality .

Abstract

Background: Health care waste is a special category of waste which needs special precautions while handling. Some types of health care wastes pose a risk on human health as well as contaminate the environment.

Objective: The aim of the study was assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of health care waste management among private health practitioners in Gulu municipality between May to August 2018so as to improve on the way health care waste is management in the hospital.

Method: A descriptive cross sectional study was employed to assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of health care among health care waste in Gulu municipality between May to August 2018. A total of 97 health workers from the hospital were included in this study using non probability, convenient sampling technique. A structured questionnaire and observational check list were used to collect data. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.

Result: From the assessment done majority of the respondents most 36.1%of the respondents mentioned infectious waste as the main category of health care waste, 40.2% of the respondents said the OPD was the main source of health care waste, 96.9%of the respondents were aware of health care waste management rules. Majority 97.9% of the respondents had never attended any continuing medical education, conference or workshop on health care waste with 47.7% of those who have attended training on HCW has attended it once in the last 12 months. 99% think health care waste management is necessary, 69.1% of the respondents said proper waste management minimizes cross infection, 96.9% of the respondents think proper waste segregation and disposal is their responsibility, 95.9% of the respondents think there is need for strict implementation of health care waste management rules in the hospital. Most96.9% of the respondents disposed of waste generated at workplace in specified color coded containers, 96.9% of the respondents used gloves during handling of health care waste, 97.9% of the respondents dispose sharps in puncture proof containers

Conclusion: Health care waste management is affected by knowledge and attitude health workers. Some of health workers had knowledge gap and did not practice health care wastes management. Hence, providing knowledge, adequate numbers of waste bins, regular training and supervision on health care waste management are recommended to improve the problems of poor management of health care wastes.