Challenges and measures during management of mounting biomedical waste in COVID-19 pandemic: an Indian approach

Manekar, Snehal S; Bakal, Ravindra L.; Jawarkar, Rahul D.; Charde, Manoj S.

doi:10.1186/s42269-022-00847-4

Cited by 11 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Also, improper disposal of used face mask is harm to the waste handlers, humans, and animals who come in contact with it. The post-pandemic period has witnessed the irrational dumping of face masks into the environment (landfills/water bodies) harming thousands of lives causing irreversible damage to our ecosystem 23,24 . World Health Organization and environment activist have raised concerns on the matter and have called in for proper segregation and disposal of COVID-19related waste abiding by the guidelines provided therein.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A used face mask is considered infected, thus contaminating the general waste as well. This poses a risk of infection to waste handlers and others who come in contact with it 23,33 . Among others 16.6% disposed off masks indiscriminately, this causes soil, and water contamination and is harmful to both terrestrial and marine life that comes in contact with it 24,33 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Assessment of Awareness of Face Mask Use among the Rural Adult Population of South Karnataka, During The COVID-19 Pandemic

Kulkarni

Nakkeeran

et al. 2023

MRAJ

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Introduction: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, is a newly emergent disease and its epidemiology was unknown. In absence of effective treatment and vaccines, prevention of spread was the only option to save mankind. Social distancing, diseased isolation, and face mask use were initiated across the globe as prevention strategies. Of these, using face masks has stood as time tested strategy. But the introduction of face masks in Indian settings, without prior education on appropriate methods of use (wear, storage, disposal) has made their effectiveness questionable. Hence, the present study intended to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of face mask use among rural adults and to address the gaps if any. Introduction: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, is a newly emergent disease and its epidemiology was unknown. In absence of effective treatment and vaccines, prevention of spread was the only option to save mankind. Social distancing, diseased isolation, and face mask use were initiated across the globe as prevention strategies. Of these, using face masks has stood as time tested strategy. But the introduction of face masks in Indian settings, without prior education on appropriate methods of use (wear, storage, disposal) has made their effectiveness questionable. Hence, the present study intended to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of face mask use among rural adults and to address the gaps if any. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of face mask usage To determine the prevalence of practicing appropriate method (WHO recommended) of face mask use. To assess knowledge, attitude, and practice of face mask use and factors influencing them. Methodology: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in the rural field practice area of BGS Global Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore. Pretested questionnaire was administered to 120 participants through the face-to-face interview. There were 8,5 and 11 questions used to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice of face mask use respectively. Results: The face mask acceptance rate was 98.6%. Only 1/3rd of the study population knew the appropriate method (WHO) of wearing a face mask. The majority of participants had good knowledge (76.6%) and positive attitude (74.9%) towards mask use, but poor practices (76.6%). Knowledge about face mask use was associated with age, education, and occupation. A positive attitude towards mask use was associated with the participants’ education level. Whereas the practices related to face mask use was poor and was not associated with any of the factors mentioned above. Conclusion: The media (mass/social) has equipped people with good knowledge about face masks and the current pandemic has brought in a positive attitude. But people lack skills in appropriate mask use, storage, and disposal. Community activities directed towards Behavioural Change Communication are the need of the hour to ensure WHO-recommended practices for face mask use and disposal.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Awareness of Face Mask Use among the Rural Adult Population of South Karnataka, During The COVID-19 Pandemic

Kulkarni

Nakkeeran

et al. 2023

MRAJ

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“…The available technologies for MWM are thermal process, chemical process, radiation technology, biological process, and mechanical process. In Asian regions, the technology mostly used for medical waste treatment is the autoclave, incineration, chemical disinfection, microwaving, deep burial pit, ash pit, placenta pit, hydrolysis, encapsulation, and pyrolysis (Bio-Medical Waste Management (Amendment) Rules (BMD); Manekar et al, 2022;Medical Waste Management Rules in Pakistan, 2005;The Medical Waste Management Rules, 2008;Ye et al, 2022;Yong et al, 2009).…”

Section: Off-site Hcf Waste Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

An emerging concern of medical waste management in Rohingya refugee camps at Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh: existing practice and alternatives

Haque

Chowdhury

Hossain

et al. 2023

Front. Environ. Sci.

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The plight of humanity in refugee camps is an age-old issue, as is the ever-increasing issue of waste management, especially medical waste. Though situations have improved in recent times for refugee camps, the same cannot be concurred about medical waste management, as it increases in amount every day. This is the first study on the refugee camp, which was conducted to assess the status of medical waste management and to quantify and characterize medical wastes disposed of in the Rohingya refugee camp at Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. A cross-sectional, qualitative, and quantitative study was done. A total of 499 households, 30 solid waste collectors, 30 HCF workers, and 21 solid waste management (SWM) plant workers were interviewed by KoBo Toolbox. Monthly medical waste collection data from February to June 2022 was also collected. Data collection, processing, and statistical analysis were done using Origin Pro and SPSS software. It was found that the camps did not follow any specific guidelines for medical waste management except for a few segregations in healthcare facilities (HCF). Though 88% of the respondents were aware of the hazardous nature of medical waste, most of them disposed of these wastes in open places (49%) and drains (44%), and 70% did not segregate it from regular waste at the household level. Moreover, 73% of solid waste management workers found medical waste daily in communal bins. The HCF did not keep any records on the production of medical waste. Different types of medical waste were found in communal bins; glass bottles containing medicines were common among them. Data from the material recovery facility (MRF) of this camp showed that the highest amount of medical waste found in the communal bins was in April (65 kg) during the seasonal change from spring to summer and the lowest in February (12.7 kg). Moreover, HCF’s existing medical waste management practices were analyzed with SWOT and DPSIR framework. Based on all the findings, a comprehensive on-site and off-site management plan for medical waste is also proposed here. That will help the concerned prepare a camp medical waste management guideline.

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“…There is a lack of sufficient and authentic data on the amount of COVID waste generated from hospitals and households that will enable the authorities to formulate necessary action plan, installation of treatment facilities and develop strategies for managing the waste in a sustainable manner. It is very critical to identify hotspots of waste generation, secondary collection sites for transportation and its disposal (Manekar et al, 2022;Saxena et al, 2022). Lack of geographical identification leads to mixing of waste fractions as well as its inappropriate processing and disposal.…”

Section: Lack Of Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Upsurge in biomedical waste due to COVID-19 in India: A statistical correlation, challenges and recommendations

Khosla

Jha

Dua³

et al. 2022

Front. Environ. Sci.

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Proper management of Biomedical Waste (BMW) is an essential component of any sustainable healthcare sector. With the burst of COVID-19 pandemic when every hospital and treatment facility was overburdened patients, efficient handling of the huge amount of generated BMW became a task for the entire world. This review compares the BMW generated before and during the second wave of COVID-19, highlights the challenges in managing the exuberated amount of COVID-19 waste and sites recommendations to promote sustainable design thinking, in order to address this grave concern in the current setting of the Indian system. The study indicated that inappropriate management of waste and the lacunae in the entire chain from segregation to collection until its disposal has posed a serious threat to the wellbeing of healthcare workers, sanitation staff as well as the operators and housekeeping staff at the hospitals, isolation centers and Municipal Corporation. Many states had inadequate number of common BMW treatment facilities (CBMWTFs) leading to inefficient treatment of the excess waste. The behavioural and attitudinal barriers of neglect and ignorance of different stakeholders further aggravated the problem of BMW management to manifolds. To achieve better management we recommend spreading awareness regarding the kind and infectious nature of waste generated by COVID-19 patients and their caregivers, segregation and decontamination of such waste at source and increasing the capacity as well as number of CBMWTFs. Creative ways to recycle the waste must be devised so as to reduce the burden on disposal sites.

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Challenges and measures during management of mounting biomedical waste in COVID-19 pandemic: an Indian approach

Cited by 11 publications

References 18 publications

Assessment of Awareness of Face Mask Use among the Rural Adult Population of South Karnataka, During The COVID-19 Pandemic

Assessment of Awareness of Face Mask Use among the Rural Adult Population of South Karnataka, During The COVID-19 Pandemic

An emerging concern of medical waste management in Rohingya refugee camps at Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh: existing practice and alternatives

Upsurge in biomedical waste due to COVID-19 in India: A statistical correlation, challenges and recommendations

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