Public Health Implications of Prototype of Healthcare Waste Management in Jos Metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Human activities generate wastes, some are harmful and others are not so harmful to man and the environment. Of concern however, are hospital wastes, which come in the form of hazardous wastes such as chemical, radioactive, pathological and anatomical wastes amongst others. This study therefore investigated the public health implications of prototype of healthcare waste management in Jos Metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria. Data were collected using quantitative and qualitative methods respectively, while nine (9) key informants were interviewed, and observation was utilized as the qualitative methods. The hospital generates two types of wastes: municipal solid wastes and special healthcare wastes which in most cases are mixed up without proper segregation into different color-coded containers with specified biohazard symbol as being recommended by the international best practices.  Two hundred and thirteen (61.4%) of the respondents indicated that safety boxes are used in segregating sharps, 40 (11.5%) of the respondent indicated puncture proof containers, while 72 (20.7%) indicated plastic bags. One hundred and seventy two (59%) of the respondents indicated that colour codes are used for different types of wastes, 108 (37%) of the respondents indicated no. Respondents of 114 (39%) indicated no, showing that wastes were not treated before disposal, 54 (19%) of the respondents indicated yes, that wastes are treated before disposal. A total of 172 (49%) of the respondents indicated that wastes are transported to the final disposal site with enclosed compaction vehicle, while 75 (21.6%) of the respondents indicated that wastes are transported with open vehicle. One hundred and eighty eight (54.2%) of the respondents who are mostly females indicated that diseases/infections were a major effect of wastes on health workers, patients and the residence of Jos metropolis. Three hundred and six (88.2%) of the respondents indicated that hospital waste transmit diseases caused by Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis. Other diseases include typhoid and cholera. In general, the wastes treatment method is poor as reflected in the disposal of solid wastes in open space without incineration, which gives room for scavengers most of whom are children, whose health implication cannot be overemphasized. There is no existing laid down waste management policy, neither is there record of special training for waste handlers. Workers should imbibe the culture of proper waste management that is in line with international best practices. In addition, injuries should be reported to appropriate hospital authority, where prompt action should be taken to avert the threat of spread of disease or infection.