Hospital waste management in Katsina State

Abstract

This article has bee retracted by the editor.

Healthcare settings which restore and maintain community health are also threatening their well being. An anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted in Katsina State to determine the awareness about waste management policy and practices. Attitude related to the issue was also ascertained. Data was collected from all sections of employees in healthcare settings. To document the practices, photographs were also taken. Overall response rate was 82%. More than half (52%) of the respondents were not aware of the existence of a legislation and majority (72%) not aware of authorization. Burning was most widely followed (42%) practice followed by incineration (39%), burial (28%), segregation (24%), autoclave (24%) and deep burial (23%). Vast majority (74%) did not use any color coding and only a very small percentage (15%) used the bio-hazard symbol. Maintaining a register and auditing virtually did not exist. Majority (80%) regarded this as an issue that needs to be tackled. No appropriate strategy exists and it is time to act, to prevent an epidemic waiting to happen.

Keywords: Hospital waste, Management, Community health, Katsina