AWARENESS AND PRACTICES ABOUT BIO-MEDICAL WASTE AMONG HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF HALDWANI, NAINITAL

Abstract

Background: The biomedical waste poses significant hazardous risk to the patients, healthcare workers, the community and environments. Thus the knowledge regarding biomedical waste management among health care personnel have greater impact on health and environment. This study aims to assess the awareness and practices regarding biomedical waste management among Health care workers in Tertiary care hospital.

Material methods: A cross sectional study was undertaken from august 2014 to December 2014 among health care workers in tertiary care hospital of Haldwani, Nainital. A pretested, semi structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Results are presented in frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviations.

Results: Awareness regarding disposal of items in red, yellow and puncture proof containers was 32.7%, 51.8% and 60.9% in health care workers respectively. Only 35.4% of health care workers had undergone training on biomedical waste management and 31% health care workers were found to be unvaccinated against hepatitis B infection.

Conclusion: Periodical sensitization and training program should be conducted for health care providers with focus on vaccination against hepatitis B infection.