The Management of Sharp Wastes in a Tertiary Health Care Institution in Port Harcourt, South-South Nigeria.

Abstract

Injection is a very common medical procedure in Nigeria; but most of the injections are not safe, because inappropriate equipment are used, and wastes generated are not properly managed, such that they constitute hazards to the provider, and others in the community. However, national standards have been set to help correct this. This study is to assess the knowledge and compliance to the standards in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, using a descriptive cross-sectional study design. Data was collected using field observations and structured self-administered questionnaire; and administered on nurses and pre-registration doctors, who gave most of the injections in the hospital. A total of 256 questionnaires were administered, but 237 were retrieved from 59 doctors, and 178 nurses. Most (58.2%) of the respondents were not vaccinated against hepatitis B, even as more than half (53.2%) had received at least one needle stick injury in the past 12 months. Most of the needle stick injuries followed an attempt to recap used needles (43.9%), and from carelessly exposed needles (20.5%). Only (18.4%) of these injuries were reported, mostly due to not knowing whom to report to (60.5%), and the believe that the needle was not from a high risk patient (86.7%). Only (36.7%) of the respondents had good knowledge of the national standards, while compliance to the standards were observed to be poor, with two-handed recapping of used needles very common. In view of the importance of the standards to occupational safety and community health, strict enforcement is advocated, especially the education of relevant health workers, and the provision of needed supplies.

Keywords: Injection safety, sharps management, Port Harcourt