Occupational health risks associated with medical waste management practices among health professionals working in three district hospitals in Rwanda

Abstract

Background: Proper healthcare waste management is crucial to minimize the exposure of health professionals, patients, and the public in general, and to reduce the pollution of the environment in particular. In Rwanda, scientific documents on occupational health risks resulting from medical waste management practices among healthcare workers are currently rare.

Aim: This study aimed to explore occupational health risks associated with medical waste management practices among health professionals in the Rwandan context.

Method: A cross-sectional study design was used. The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods. The respondents were composed of health professionals (medical doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff) from the district hospital and six key informants. We used questionnaire, interview guide, and observation checklists as research instruments. We performed descriptive statistics to analyze the quantitative data. Also, qualitative data were analyzed using narrative analysis method.

Results: The findings revealed that 56.5 % of respondents from Kibagabaga hospital, 26.8% from Masaka and 49.3% from Muhima Hospital reported that they experienced occupational health risks related to inadequate medical waste management at their workplaces, and some of those risks include risk of infection and physical injuries.

Conclusion: This study concludes that health professionals working in health facilities in Rwanda are exposed to the risks resulting from poor medical waste management practices. Thus, the study recommends putting more emphasis on raising awareness of staff towards risks resulting from poor medical waste management practices.

Keywords: Occupational health risk; Medical waste; Health professionals, Hospital, Healthcare waste