Caracterização e quantificação dos resíduos perfurocortantes gerados por diabéticos do município de Umuarama, PR, Brasil

Abstract

Resumo A pesquisa teve como objetivo caracterizar e quantificar os resíduos perfurocortantes produzidos no domicílio de pessoas com diabetes mellitus (DM), bem como analisar as práticas de descarte desse material. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de um questionário aplicado aos pacientes da Atenção Primária. A amostra foi composta por 149 pessoas, das quais a maioria era idosa e com baixo nível de escolaridade. No que tange à geração dos resíduos, 88,64% dos depoentes atestaram utilizar uma seringa por dia, realizando de 1 a 4 aplicações. O reuso do material foi relatado por 66,67% dos investigados. Depois de utilizados, os resíduos eram armazenados - com maior prevalência - em sacolas plásticas (20,80%), garrafas PET, frascos de amaciante/maionese, etc. (46,98%). O lixo doméstico comum foi o principal local de descarte dos perfurocortantes. Ademais, verificou que aqueles que não receberam informações sobre o manejo dos resíduos os desprezam de maneira incorreta. Diante dos resultados, pode-se concluir que os diabéticos que participaram desse estudo possuem práticas inadequadas de acondicionamento e descarte dos perfurocortantes em decorrência da ausência de orientações e de programas públicos.

The Challenge in Managing Healthcare Waste in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus in Brazil

“…Disposable devices, single-use for DM treatment, generate contaminated waste, including needles, lancets, insulin vials, syringes, glucose monitoring strips, insulin pens, disposable pumps, infusion catheters, glucose sensors, as well as batteries, glucose monitors, and packaging of devices that constitute other types of waste (Klonoff et al, 2020;Jefferson, Marteu, Smith, & Baum, 1985;Health Pen, 2023;Santos & Ruiz, 2020). All these residues impact the ecosystem surrounding the health territory of these individuals.…”

“…With the growth in the number of people with DM in Brazil, there has also been an increased purchase of insulin vials, pens, and refills, totaling 121 million units from 2015 to 2020 (Catão, Mosegui, Vianna, Cunha, Figueiredo, & López, 2022). This scenario makes waste management a public health issue, as the improper disposal of these materials in household waste exposes the population and waste collectors to the risks of physical and biological accidents, in addition Journal of Human Resource and Sustainability Studies to environmental harm (Klonoff et al, 2020;Santos & Ruiz, 2020). On the other hand, there is a lack of programs and regulations governing the management of healthcare waste produced at home (Santos & Ruiz, 2020).…”

“…This scenario makes waste management a public health issue, as the improper disposal of these materials in household waste exposes the population and waste collectors to the risks of physical and biological accidents, in addition Journal of Human Resource and Sustainability Studies to environmental harm (Klonoff et al, 2020;Santos & Ruiz, 2020). On the other hand, there is a lack of programs and regulations governing the management of healthcare waste produced at home (Santos & Ruiz, 2020).…”

“…This controversy in guiding the disposal of wastes generated at home by people with DM represents a major challenge for public managers in various sectors, in creating and implementing clear and accessible legislation and public policies that contribute to the correct management of these supplies (Klonoff et al, 2020;Huang et al, 2022;Santos & Ruiz, 2020 Due to the deficit in home-generated healthcare waste management programs and the lack of legislation, patients dispose of supplies in inappropriate locations (Santos & Ruiz, 2020). It is evident that with the increased use of insulin pens at home, there is a discrepancy in disposal guidance and an increase in the volume of plastic generated in urban waste, as the absence of efficient plastic waste management is a global and urgent concern that requires assessment (Klonoff et al, 2020; Sustainable Development and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, 2023).…”

“…This practice poses greater risks to public health and the environment. The study concludes that such practices require guidance and interventions to protect the environment and waste collection workers (Santos & Ruiz, 2020).…”