Health Care Waste Segregation Behavior among Health Workers in Uganda: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

Abstract

Objective. The goal of this study was to assess the appropriateness of the theory of planned behavior in predicting health care waste segregation behaviors and to examine the factors that influence waste segregation behaviors. Methodology. One hundred and sixty-three health workers completed a self-administered questionnaire in a cross-sectional survey that examined the theory of planned behavior constructs (attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intention) and external variables (sociodemographic factors, personal characteristics, organizational characteristics, professional characteristics, and moral obligation). Results. For their most recent client 21.5% of the health workers reported that they most definitely segregated health care waste while 5.5% did not segregate. All the theory of planned behavior constructs were significant predictors of health workers' segregation behavior, but intention emerged as the strongest and most significant (r = 0.524, P < 0.001). The theory of planned behavior model explained 52.5% of the variance in health workers' segregation behavior. When external variables were added, the new model explained 66.7% of the variance in behavior. Conclusion. Generally, health workers' health care waste segregation behavior was high. The theory of planned behavior significantly predicted health workers' health care waste segregation behaviors.

Correlates Of Knowledge, Attitude And Practices About Health Care Waste Management Among Hospital Workers Of Pakistan

“…Our findings were supported by similar study that identified, the knowledge among workers working in operation theatres is significantly high as compare to others 14 . We, also found a significant internal consistency in our results which showed that knowledge about various aspects of waste management reflects as positive attitude and behaviour of the workers; which is consistent with current theory of planned behaviour 15 . This study suggested that the working environment and provider related factors are important in quality of however we analysed, in the present study, only the comparison of KAP among various subgroups and cadres of health workers.…”

A Study of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Regarding Biomedical Waste Management Among the Health Care Workers at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital of Western Uttar Pradesh

“…In a study by Akulume M et al wherein Azjen's theory of planned behavior (TPB) was applied to prove how the perceived behavioural control through attitude can be translated into practices. Azjens theory is one of the most preferred model for explaining human behaviors but also helps in designing intervention strategies for bringing a change in attitude [23] . [8,9,11,14] .…”

A Whole Systems Approach to Hospital Waste Management in Rural Uganda

“…The poor segregation and handling of waste increased the risk of infection to staff, patients, and visitors (9). Cross infection was taken seriously in both the hospital and the community health centers, with a dedicated infection control committee which is ready to act on conclusions of the study (28).…”

“…This is the first Uganda study in a rural hospital and such studies are still infrequent globally. Improper health care waste management can compromise health, safety and puts the environment at risk for all stakeholders in this community setting (1, 9).…”