Description
Introduction
Healthcare facilities are among the main industries that have improved significantly in recent decades globally (Birpnar et al., 2009). Wastes produced during medical procedures were harmful to the environment and human health (Chaerul et al., 2008). Healthcare facilities and laboratories produce waste that is referred to as healthcare waste (WHO, 2013). These wastes include things like sharp and blunt objects, blood, body parts, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, medical gear, and radioactive materials. (WHO, 2015). These substances are poisonous, risky, cancer-causing, or contagious. (Marinkovic et al., 2008). Healthcare waste is regarded as the most harmful waste in the world after radioactive waste (Arab et al., 2008). More than 85% of the waste produced by healthcare activities is hazardous and non-hazardous, and 15% of this trash is toxic and radioactive (Chartier, 2014). Healthcare waste is broken down into liquid and solid trash that comes from medical facilities and is either classified as hazardous waste or non-hazardous waste (Uwa, 2013).
According to Shinee et al. (2008), the production and disposal of HCW has become a global problem, yet management is still in its infancy (Babu, et al., 2009). WHO indicates that 10 to 25 percent of HCW produced by healthcare workers are hazardous (Chartier, et al., 2014). However, the percentages varied by nation, ranging from 20% to 75%, according to accounts from Ethiopia (Hayleeyesus and Cherinete, 2016). More than 30 dangerous blood-borne diseases have the potential to be disseminated by HCW (Sawalem et al., 2009), with HIV, HBV, and HCV infections being of particular concern because to the strong evidence of transmission through needle stick/sharp injury as a result of subpar waste management. Poor HCWM is a problem in the majority of developing countries, and according to several researchers, successful HCWM is difficult to implement due to low levels of healthcare professionals with training in waste management systems and public awareness of the issue. Additionally, activities for waste management may be hampered by the absence of an HCWM standard, legislation, and suitable options for treatment and disposal (Hossain et al, 2011). According to various research, HCWM is still in its early stages in Africa (Bendjoudi, 2009).
There hasn’t been much research done on KAP dynamics and associated factor scenarios, especially in emerging nations like Ethiopia. According to reliable research, HCWM is currently insufficient in Ethiopian health institutions (Azage and Kumie, 2010). Research to date have mainly focused on waste creation and management at the facility level, leaving evaluations of KAP and its associated factors among health professionals, notably among cleaners, who play a vital role in reducing bio-hazardous associated risks, to the fore. In order to create a specific strategy to address issues related to HCW management, the results of the studies conducted were not accurately reported across the different job categories for healthcare workers (Yenesew et al., 2012). in order to create a specialized strategy to address HCW-related issues and reduce challenges caused by its improper administration. Consequently, the goal of this research was to completely close these gaps.
The main objective of this paper was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices about healthcare waste management and associated factors among healthcare workers at primary public healthcare facilities in Nifas Silk Lafto Sub City, Addis Ababa. The specific objective was to determine the level of knowledge and assess the level of attitude, as well as the practical and associated factors of knowledge, attitude, and practice towards HCWM among healthcare workers at primary public health care facilities in Nifas Silk Lafto Sub City. The research questions were: What is the level of HCWM knowledge among HCWs? What is the level of attitude towards HCWM among HCWs? What is the level of HCWM practice among HCWs? What are the determinants of HCWM among HCWs?
Conclusion and Recommendations
According to the study, healthcare workers had adequate knowledges (78.9%), a positive attitude (92.7%), and adequate practice (63.4%). Among the three, the practice score was low. Similarly, this low result was also scored among cleaners (44.2%), nurses (66.1%), and midwives (67%). Similarly, the lowest knowledge score was obtained among nurses (60.5%) and medical doctors (64.5%). In addition, the good attitude of the study participants was scored among cleaners (89.5%) and nurses (90.9%). Educational and informational sources, the assigned committee, and the profession of the respondents had statistically significant associations with the respondents’ knowledge; experience, working conditions, and educational level of the respondents also had a statistically significant effect on the attitude of the healthcare workers. In addition, both the attitude and sex of the study participants had a statistically significant effect on the practice level of the healthcare workers at a level of 95% confidence with a PV of 0.05 marginal error.
The government shall work on the knowledge, perception, and practice of the HCWs, upgrading their educational level, availing of guidelines, visual aids, policy manuals, and other necessary reference materials at the working sites, actively functioning assigned infection prevention committees, providing basic training and creating self-awareness, sufficient PPE, color-coded waste bins, gloves, boots, and biohazard symbols, and a standardized waste storage, treatment, and disposal area regarding effective healthcare waste management. In addition, further, more comprehensive studies should be conducted to overcome the problems.
