Impact of Educational Intervention on Segregation for Effective Biomedical Waste Management Amongst Healthcare Professionals in Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

BACKGROUND Biomedical Waste (BMW) includes all type of waste generated by the different healthcare establishments, laboratories and research facilities. Effective Biomedical Waste management is emerging as an issue of major concern because of the harmful effects on the health and the environment. Proper knowledge, attitude, practices and a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities in handling BMW will help prevent the harmful effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS After due approval from Institutional Ethics Committee, a prospective analytical follow-up study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital. A total of 80 consenting health care professionals (HCP) were included in the study and were grouped as junior residents, staff nurses, technical staff and housekeeping staff. Each group was subjected to a pre-validated pretest questionnaire to assess the knowledge and attitude and their practices observed over a couple of days with checklist with the help of volunteers on the basis of observation checklist and key informant interview guide to collect data from all health personnel in health centers regarding waste management. All the groups were again subjected to post-test questionnaires. Data was managed in Microsoft Excel and was analysed using tests of proportions and paired t test with post hoc analysis using one-way ANOVA. RESULTS The difference in mean score of junior residents was found out to be 5.52 followed by 4.67 & 4.15 for nursing staff and technicians. The percentage rise in learning outcome was 32.59 %, 37.4 % and 36.72 % respectively which was highly significant. By post hoc analysis between the groups, junior residents were found to be better in pre-test as well as post-test with p-value of <0.001. 75 % and above participants perceived the interventional program and the methods involved to be similar to fun games, and they achieved better clinical orientation through them. CONCLUSION The knowledge and attitudes between the groups of healthcare personnel varied and was found to be satisfactory after the educational intervention was done. Training programs with periodical sensitization sessions on BMW management are recommended at all levels so that they are aware of serious health implications to the non-compliance to BMW practices.

Effect of Structured Training Program on Nursing Staff Regarding Awareness about Biomedical Waste Management in a Tertiary Care Hospital

“…86% of the participants gave correct responses regarding disposal of placenta in pre-test, which further increased to 99.44% in post-test. In our and similar other study percentage increase in awareness about disposal of needles was 24.99 % and 5% respectively 6 . Correct knowledge about general waste generated in hospital is 94.44 % among the nurses.…”