Assessment of the attitude and practice of healthcare workers towards management of hospital waste in general hospital Katsina, Northwest Nigeria

Abstract

Healthcare waste represents a major public health issue, especially in developing countries. Among healthcare waste categories, Waste materials in the form of sharp ends are one of the most hazardous. Exposure to needle stick injuries can lead to blood-borne pathogens, therefore healthcare waste management should be done effectively well. The study was conducted to assess the attitude of healthcare workers towards healthcare waste management. A descriptive study through the employment of structured questionnaires was employed to elicit information from one hundred and fifty (150) healthcare workers in the General Hospital Kastina. Descriptive statistics was employed to analyze and present the data generated. Results generated show that types of healthcare waste generated in the facility can be associated with risks and hazards if not properly treated. From the findings healthcare workers has poor attitude towards waste management. It was recommended that Government should make effort to provide sanitation departments and different waste units in all hospitals which will help to manage the waste disposal