Abstract

Background: Appropriate knowledge regarding biomedical waste management and an attitude to practice what is known is required to achieve effective biomedical waste management.

Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practice of the paramedical workers and the support staff regarding biomedical waste management.

Materials and Methods: After the calculation of an appropriate sample size, 155 nursing staff, 39 technicians, and 47 ward support staff working at a private tertiary care hospital in North Karnataka were selected using stratified random sampling. They were interviewed using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire after taking oral informed consent.

Results: Knowledge regarding correct segregation of biomedical waste was 89.7% among nursing staff, 83.0% among ward support staff, and 25.6% among technicians; whereas, it was correctly practiced by 87.1%, 57.4%, and 23.1% of nursing, ward support staffs, and technicians, respectively. Association of working status and months of service with both knowledge as well as the practice of segregation of biomedical waste was statistically significant.

Conclusion: Better knowledge regarding the segregation of biomedical waste led to the better practice of the same. Hands on training to all the paramedical staffs at the time of entry to the job and also a periodical refresher course are a must.

Key words: Medical Waste; Allied Health Personnel; Nursing Staff; Waste Management; Tertiary Care Centers