Assessment of sustainable healthcare waste management practices among hospital workers in Owerri, Nigeria

Abstract

Inadequate management and disposal of healthcare waste (HCW) in Nigeria has raised serious concerns due to its pernicious impact on human and environmental safety. The study assesses sustainable HCW management practices among hospital workers within a large hospital in Owerri, Imo State. In doing this, the study predicted the likelihood of being trained on sustainable management of HCW based on workers' occupation, years of experience and common waste disposal methods. Also, the study measured prevalent HCWs in order to ascertain their main dimensions. Data collection for the study involved cross-sectional survey of workers in the selected hospital. Logistic regression was applied in predicting the likelihood of being trained on sustainable management of HCW, based on three categorical predictors: Occupation, years of experience and common waste disposal methods. Also, principal component analysis (PCA) was applied in ascertaining key dimensions of eight prevalent HCWs. Results indicate that while code-colored bins are not readily available, HCW segregation was significantly related to occupation in the hospital. Regression model for predicting being trained on sustainable HCW management was statistically significant, X² (11) = 21.184, p = .032. PCA of prevalent HCWs in the hospital point towards a two-dimension structure: low risk waste that do not require treatment and special waste needing treatment and cautious management. The study recommends providing multi-purpose HCW treatment systems, which can integrate recycling of general waste and incineration of special waste.