Importance of clinical posting for awareness on bio-medical waste in medical and paramedical students

Abstract

Background: The management of health care waste is the subject of considerable concern to public health. Unscientific disposal of health care waste may lead to the transmission of communicable disease which is a risk for health care professionals. Objective: The main objective of this study was to assess the awareness in the medical and paramedical students about bio-medical waste (BMW) hazards and management and to see the impact of clinical posting in knowledge regarding BMW handling. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional type of study. A total of 240 subjects was enrolled, 60 each from 1 st year students of MBBS, BDS, nursing, and MLT. They were interviewed for health care waste management practices. Results: Study shows overall awareness regarding BMW in nursing and MLT students were better than MBBS and BDS students. We found that about the infection like HIV almost all the students were equally aware but awareness about hepatitis B infection was more in MBBS and BDS students and also in nursing students compared with MLT students. All the students from four groups were almost vaccinated for tetanus toxoid but only 50% students were vaccinated for hepatitis B. Conclusion: The nursing and MLT students comparatively were having better knowledge and attitude than BDS and MBBS students in many aspects. However, overall knowledge of 1 st year students from all the groups was not satisfactory and number of students those who were vaccinated for hepatitis B was also low which put them at risk.