ABSTRACT
This study assessed healthcare waste management
practices among healthcare workers in Garki Primary Health Centre (PHC).
Healthcare waste, if not properly managed, poses significant risks to human
health and the environment. The study aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge,
attitudes, and practices of healthcare workers towards healthcare waste
management. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed. Data were
collected using structured questionnaires administered to healthcare workers
across various units of the PHC. The results revealed that while a majority of
the respondents demonstrated good knowledge of healthcare waste segregation and
disposal, gaps were observed in actual practice due to inadequate training,
limited availability of waste bins, and insufficient protective equipment. The
study concluded that although awareness of healthcare waste management is
relatively high, practical compliance remains inadequate. It is recommended
that regular training programs, provision of necessary facilities, and
enforcement of waste management policies be
strengthened to improve
practices among healthcare workers in Garki PHC
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Title page - - - - - - - - - i
Certification - - - - - - - - - ii
Dedication - - - - - - - - - iii
Acknowledgement - - - - - - - - iv
Table of Content - - - - - - - - v
Abstract - - - - - - - - - vi
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study - - - - - - - 1
1.2 Statement of the Problem - - - - - -
- 3
1.3 Aim
and Objectives - - - - - - - 4
1.4 Research Questions - - - - - - - 4
1.5 Significance of the Study - - - - - - 4
1.6 Scope of the Study - - - - - -- - 4
1.7 Limitations of the Study - - - - --- - 4
1.8
Operational Definition of Terms - - - - - 5
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE
REVIEW
2.1 Concept of Healthcare Waste and Waste
Management- - -- 5
2.2 Categories of Healthcare Waste- - - - - -- 6
2.3 Importance of Healthcare Waste Management- - - - 7
2.4 Global Perspective on Healthcare Waste
Managemen- - -- 7
2.5 Healthcare Waste Management in Nigeria- - - -- 8
2.6 Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of
Healthcare Workers on Waste Management- - - - - - - - - 8
2.7 Empirical Review - - - - - - -- - 9
2.8 Theoretical Review - - - - - -- - 9
2.9 Summary of Literature and Gaps - - - - - - 10
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Area - - - - - - - - -12
3.2 Research Design - - - - - - - - -12
3.3 Study Population - - - - - - - -13
3.4 Sample Size and Sampling Technique - - - - -- -13
3.5 Instrument for Data Collection - - - - - -- -13
3.6 Method of Data Collection - - - - - -- -14
3.7 Validity and Reliability of the Instrument - - - -- -14
3.8 Ethical Considerations - - - - - - -- -14
3.9 Data
Analysis - - - - - - - - -15
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
4.1
Introduction - - - - - - -- - -16
4.2 Knowledge on Healthcare Waste Management - - -- - -16
4.4
Summary of Findings - - - - - -- - -24
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1
Summary of Findings - - - - - - - -25
5.2
Conclusion - - - - - - - - -26
5.3 Recommendations - - - - - - - - -26
References
Appendix
CHAPTER
ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Healthcare waste (HCW) is generated by
healthcare services like hospitals, medical examiner centers, pharmacy
mechanized places, pharmacies, blood stores, and residence health concern
performance. It is divided into common and harmful waste.(1) The terms medical
trash, therapeutic waste, biomedical waste, and hospice waste are often
utilized interchangeably.(2) Healthcare waste is distinct as it contains
potentially dangerous substances that harm those who are exposed to it.
Improper waste management raises problems among healthcare workers (HCWs),
waste pickers, patients, families, and society, including illness, adverse
repercussions, harm, and environmental pollution.(3) Medical wastes are
dangerous, poisonous, and potentially fatal due to the risk of disease
transmission and damage. Unsuitable treatment and discarding of healthcare
workers HCWs expose them to infectious waste and increase their hazard of
sickness, including hepatitis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired
Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS).(4) Managing HCW is a rising disquiet in
municipal regions. In many underdeveloped nations, indiscriminate disposal and
mixing with municipal waste pose significant health and environmental risks.
Non-hazardous trash combined with hazardous waste should be disposed of in
accordance with hazardous waste legislation,(5) while this is not usually the
case in low-income countries. Transferable waste organization is a neglected
community health problem in poor nations, leading to significant environmental
pollution that affects the general public.(6) Healthcare waste management
(HCWM) handlers should be well-versed in health concerns, suitable handling
techniques, and safety precautions to ensure safe disposal. In underdeveloped
coun Healthcare facilities play a vital role in promoting and maintaining
health; however, they also generate significant amounts of waste that can pose
serious risks to health and the environment if not properly managed. Healthcare
waste includes sharps, infectious materials, pathological waste, and chemical
substances, many of which are considered hazardous and require careful handling
(World Health Organization [WHO], 2017). Globally, it is estimated that about
15–25% of healthcare waste is hazardous and capable of causing infections,
injuries, or environmental damage (Chartier et al., 2014).
Effective healthcare waste management
(HCWM) is critical to ensuring the safety of healthcare workers, patients,
waste handlers, and the surrounding community. This involves segregation, collection,
transportation, treatment, and final disposal of waste in a safe and
environmentally sound manner (Patwary et al., 2011). However, studies in many
low- and middle-income countries have shown that healthcare waste is often
poorly managed due to lack of awareness, inadequate infrastructure, limited
resources, and weak enforcement of regulations (Udofia et al., 2017; Aung et
al., 2019).
In Nigeria, poor waste management
practices remain a pressing public health issue. Reports indicate that
healthcare workers often lack adequate training on safe waste handling, while
facilities face challenges such as poor segregation practices, inadequate
protective equipment, and limited waste treatment options (Nwachukwu et al.,
2012; Babatunde et al., 2013). As such, assessing waste management practices
among healthcare workers in primary healthcare centers is essential in order to
identify gaps and promote interventions that can reduce risks of infection,
occupational hazards, and environmental contamination.
Healthcare waste management has been
recognized as a critical component of infection prevention and control within
healthcare facilities. Poorly managed waste increases the risk of needle-stick
injuries, bloodborne infections such as HIV and hepatitis B, and exposure to
harmful chemicals (Prüss-Ustün et al., 2013). For instance, the WHO estimated
that unsafe injections due to poor sharps waste disposal accounted for 21
million hepatitis B virus infections and 2 million HIV infections globally in
the year 2000 alone (WHO, 2014).
Garki Primary Health Centre (PHC), located
in Jigawa State, provides essential health services to the community, including
maternal and child healthcare, immunization, and treatment of common illnesses.
With increased patient visits, the volume and diversity of healthcare waste
generated have also increased. However, little is known about how healthcare
workers in Garki PHC handle and manage healthcare waste. Assessing their
knowledge, attitudes, and practices is vital in order to identify gaps and
provide evidence-based recommendations for improving HCWM.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Healthcare waste is one of the most
visible and hazardous by-products of healthcare delivery. If not properly
managed, it can spread infections, cause injuries, and contaminate the
environment. In Nigeria, inadequate waste segregation, poor infrastructure for
safe disposal, and limited training among healthcare workers have been
documented (Udofia et al., 2017). Despite policies and guidelines by the
Federal Ministry of Health, implementation at the primary healthcare level
remains weak (FMOH, 2013).
Observations from local PHCs, including
those in Jigawa State, show that healthcare waste is often disposed of in open
pits or burned without consideration of environmental safety, while sharps are
sometimes discarded improperly, increasing the risk of injuries and infections
among healthcare workers, waste handlers, and the surrounding community (Abah
& Ohimain, 2011).
Given the essential role of healthcare
workers in handling waste at the point of generation, understanding their
practices is critical. However, limited research exists on healthcare waste
management practices at the PHC level in Jigawa State. This study, therefore,
seeks to fill this gap by assessing the healthcare waste management practices
among healthcare workers in Garki PHC, with the aim of identifying challenges
and providing recommendations for improvement.
1.3 Aim and Objectives
1.3.1 Aim
To assess the healthcare waste management
practices among healthcare workers in Garki Primary Health Centre.
1.3.2 Specific Objectives
1. To determine the level of knowledge of
healthcare workers on healthcare waste management in Garki PHC.
2. To assess the waste handling and disposal
practices among healthcare workers in Garki PHC.
3. To identify the challenges faced by
healthcare workers in the management of healthcare waste in Garki PHC.
1.4 Research Questions
1. What is the level of knowledge of
healthcare workers on healthcare waste management in Garki PHC?
2. What are the waste handling and disposal
practices among healthcare workers in Garki PHC?
3. What are the challenges faced by
healthcare workers in the management of healthcare waste in Garki PHC?
1.5 Significance of the Study
This study is significant in many ways. Firstly, it will provide valuable
insight into the level of knowledge and practices of healthcare workers in
managing healthcare waste, which is critical in preventing the spread of
infectious diseases. Secondly, it will highlight the challenges encountered by
healthcare workers and inform policymakers and health administrators in
designing targeted interventions. Furthermore, the findings of this study will
contribute to existing literature on HCWM and serve as a reference point for
researchers, students, and public health practitioners interested in
occupational health and environmental safety. Ultimately, the recommendations
from this study may assist Garki PHC and similar facilities in improving
healthcare waste management systems.
1.6 Scope of the Study
The study will be limited to Garki Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC), focusing on
healthcare workers such as doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, and waste
handlers. The scope of the research will cover their knowledge, practices, and
challenges regarding healthcare waste management. The study will not extend to
secondary or tertiary healthcare institutions.
1.7 Limitations of the Study
Like every research, this study may encounter certain limitations. The first
limitation is the possible reluctance of healthcare workers to provide accurate
responses due to fear of being judged or penalized. Secondly, financial and
time constraints may limit the depth of data collection. Despite these
challenges, every effort will be made to ensure the reliability and validity of
the research findings.
1.8 Operational Definition of Terms
Healthcare Waste:
All waste generated by healthcare activities, including sharps, infectious
materials, pathological waste, pharmaceutical waste, and non-hazardous waste.
Healthcare Waste Management (HCWM): The
processes of segregation, collection, storage, transportation, treatment, and
disposal of healthcare waste in a safe and environmentally sound manner.
Healthcare Workers:
All personnel directly involved in patient care and handling of healthcare
waste, including nurses, midwives, CHEWs, and laboratory staff.
Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC):
The first level of healthcare delivery in Nigeria, providing preventive,
promotive, curative, and rehabilitative services to communities.
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