Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development
  • Year: 2017
  • Volume: 8
  • Issue: 3

A Study on Knowledge and Practice of Hospital Waste Management among Nursing Staff of Tertiary Care Centre Hospital in Eluru, West Godavari District, A.P, India

  • Author:
  • Chandrasekhar Vallepalli1,, K Uma Maheswara Rao2, K T Reddy3, K Chandra Sekhar4, Sandhya Sree Gogineni5, P G Deotale6
  • Total Page Count: 6
  • Page Number: 158 to 163

1Postgraduate Student, Department of Community Medicine, Alluri Sita Rama Raju Academy of Medical Sciences, Eluru, A.P.

2Principal & Professor of, Paediatrics, Alluri Sita Rama Raju Academy of Medical Sciences, Eluru, A.P.

3Associate Professor, Department of Hospital, Administration of Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Punjagutta, Hyderabad, A.P.

4Professor, Department Community Medicine

5House Surgeon

6Professor & HOD of, Community Medicine, Alluri Sita Rama Raju Academy of Medical Sciences, Eluru

*Corresponding Author: Dr. Chandrasekhar Vallepalli Postgraduate Student, Department of Community Medicine, ASRAM Medical College, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, India.-534005, E-mail: drvchandrasekhar@gmail.com

Online published on 18 July, 2017.

Abstract

Hospital is one of the complex institutions which is frequented by people from every walk of life in the society. Hospital waste can potentially transmit diseases and present an additional risk to the staff of the healthcare facilities, patients and the community when the wastes are not managed properly. In developing countries, medical wastes have not received sufficient attention due to limited resources.

To study the knowledge and practice of hospital waste management among nursing staff of hospital and to determine the socio-demographic variables in relation to practice of hospital waste management.

This was a hospital based cross-sectional study conducted at tertiary care centre (ASRAM hospital) among different cadres of 165 nursing staff during the period from April 2013 to September 2013. Predesigned and pretested study questionnaire was filled and knowledge and practices were recorded. Data was entered and analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2007 and necessary statistical tests like simple proportions and chi square tests were applied.

153(92.7%) of the nursing staff were aware of the definition of the hospital waste. 132(81%) were having good knowledge about accessibility of colour coding bins from nursing station. Good knowledge was seen in highly qualified B. Sc nursing staff regarding disposal of hospital waste. 149(90.3%) of the nursing staff has knowledge regarding storage time for infectious waste is less than 48 hours.

Statistically significant association was noticed between qualification of nursing staff and hospital waste disposal. B. Sc nursing qualification people were having the better knowledge and practice about the hospital waste than ANM nursing group. Periodical sensitization programme on hospital waste management is required.

Keywords

hospital waste, colour coding bins, nursing staff, storage time, nursing station