A Survey of Awareness about Biomedical Waste Management into Different Health Settings
Meenakshi Sharma *
Department of Zoology, Sri Sai University, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India.
Pallavi
Department of Zoology, Sri Sai University, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India.
Shiwali Choudhary
Department of Zoology, Sri Sai University, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Biomedical waste (BMW) generated in India on a regular basis contains infectious and toxic materials that can pose health risks. It is critical to educate the public about the impact of biomedical waste on the environment, as well as to ensure successful and scientific disposal. The safe and continual treatment of biomedical waste produced by healthcare facilities is a source of worry, since it could cause threats to both health and the environment. It is necessary to make a judgment on the same to determine the level and practice among doctors and nurses in healthcare settings. In this study, an attempt was made to investigate the solid medical waste management issue in and around Kangra. To conduct the study, a closed-ended questionnaire was distributed to 150 personnel from 22 different locations. The results showed that the awareness of the waste management policy among employees is relatively low. 48% of respondents were aware of the colour coding scheme, however 52% were unaware of the colour codes for disposal. Autoclave (55%) was the most commonly employed method of medical waste disposal. 93% of responders use shoes, masks, gloves whereas only 7% were found to wear PPE kit. 95% of respondents utilise plastic bags for biomedical waste food disposal. In our investigation, we discovered that training scenarios from hospitals and other health care settings are missing. Liable respondents (90%) receive training or formal orientations on trash management. 70% of respondents believe that waste management is the government's responsibility, and half believe that safe management will increase the cost burden on healthcare facilities. The current study found that healthcare settings lack knowledge of biological waste management, which might be attributed to a lack of awareness, training, education, and orientation programs among personnel to manage biomedical waste.
Keywords: Biomedical waste management, training, scenario, attitude, healthcare centres, Himachal Pradesh