To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices in biomedical waste management among health care workers in dedicated COVID hospital in Bangalore

Abstract

BACKGROUND In this pandemic of COVID-19, the highest amount of infective material, biomedical waste is generated in hospitals and it is frequently handled by the healthcare workers irrespective of cadres. Hence the awareness of healthcare workers in regards with biomedical waste (BMW) management is crucial in this pandemic. This study is therefore conducted to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices in BMW management among health care workers in our institution. RESULTS A total of 280 subjects consisting of doctors, nursing staff and group D workers were included in the study after obtaining informed consent. The knowledge among healthcare workers was satisfactory, but comparatively group D workers were lagging behind. Overall they all have a good attitude towards BMW management but practices on BMW management needs improvement mostly among group D workers. CONCLUSIONS There have to be regular training programmes on biomedical waste management and its hazards for all the healthcare workers including group D workers. Along with educational intervention, strict implementation of biomedical waste management guidelines with its monitoring at all levels is also very much essential.