A Study of Awareness about Biomedical Waste Management among Health Care Personnel

Enormous amounts of hazardous and infectious waste are produced in hospitals across the world in the course of various biomedical procedures. India produces approximately 2kg/bed/day. India has well established protocols for handling and management of biomedical waste, namely, the BMW (Management and Handling) Amendment Rules, 2000. These rules mandate healthcare facilities to segregate disinfect and dispose biomedical wastes in a manner which protects the safety of healthcare professionals as well as that of the environment.

To find out the levels and areas of gaps in knowledge, attitudes and practices towards BMW management among various health care personnel.

A before and after interventional study was carried out on 150 participants from J.A.H. group of Hospitals, Gwalior. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was prepared and used for data collection. A Planned teaching and audiovisual presentation for the biomedical waste management was prepared and applied for assessment.

Out of 150 participants, before the educational intervention the level of knowledge about bio medical waste management among senior doctors and junior doctors were 70.0% and 65.0 respectively and significantly (p<0.05) excellent in comparison to nursing and sanitary staff. Educational intervention had significantly improved BW management knowledge in all group studied.

It can be concluded from the present study that there are fair levels of knowledge and awareness about BM waste generation hazards, legislation and management among health care personnel in J.A group of hospitals. Regular monitoring and training is required at all levels to fill up the lacunae in knowledge.