KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS ON WASTE SEGREGATION AT TWO PUBLIC TRAINING HOSPITALS

Anna Ndapandula Haifete, Amukugo Hans Justus* and Hermine Iita

ABSTRACT

A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was employed that included the use of a checklist and self-administered questionnaires. Probability stratified random sampling method was used in this study to ensure proportional representation of HCWs categories. Simple random sampling was used in selecting the wards to be assessed. The Epi-info software version 3.5.1 was used to analyse quantitative data for both objectives. Data analysis involved checking and editing the collected data, cleaning and analysing them. Frequency distribution tables, descriptive statistics like measure of central tendency and measures of variability were employed. The demographic data that was discussed are gender, age, profession, duration of current work experience, hospital and the ward where the health care workers were working. The mean ages of all participants were 37.4 (SD 13.0) years, Median 36.5 and Mode 28. However, the mean ages per profession were as follows: Doctors 35. 7(SD 9.0), Nurses were 38. 3 (SD 13. 2), Ward assistants were 35.7 (SD 16. 5) and Cleaners were 37 (SD 15. 3) years. Professional categories chosen were selected on the ground that they are the most health care workers that handle wastes in the selected wards. For the knowledge the study revealed that doctors‟ score were higher than the other 3 occupational and they have more in-depth understanding due to their higher education and professional levels. While for the attitude the percentage of HCWs are strongly agreed that safe disposal is of utmost importance for preventing infection transmission and prevent infections. On the practice of health care workers on waste segregation found to be universal practices in the entire ward. The study recommended that training for all health care workers categories on waste segregation should be done on the regular basis. The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) to employ Environmental Health Practitioners to be in charge of overall waste management in the hospitals. Furthermore, adequate monitoring and evaluation of waste segregation processes in the two training hospitals should be ensured.

Keywords: Knowledge, attitude, practice, health care workers, waste segregation, training hospitals.