Evaluation of biomedical waste management in primary health care centres in Saudi Arabia: A knowledge, attitudes and practices study

Abstract

Awareness and knowledge of biomedical waste practices is very important for any health care setting. This study aimed to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAabout biomedical waste among health professionals in primary health care centres in Hail City, Saudi Arabia. The study included 135 of 155 professionals who dealt with biomedical waste from 16 out of 26 primary health care centres. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Overall 54.8%, 48.9% and 49.6% of the participants had good knowledge, attitudes and practices scores respectively. Profession, education and age were significantly associated with KAP level (P < 0.01): doctors, those with a degree and older respondents had better KAP scores. There was a strong correlation between knowledge and attitudes, knowledge and practices, and attitudes and practices (P < 0.05). Training is recommended to enhance the knowledge of the professionals dealing with biomedical waste in the primary health care centres.