We Rank the Best on Research Projects

ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES OF BIOMEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT AMONG WASTE HANDLERS AT FMC, YOLA AND AKTH, KANO

Dept: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE File: Word(doc) Chapters: 1-5 Views:

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study uses FMC and AKTH as a case study in order to assess the knowledge, practices and attitudes of waste handlers on biomedical waste management. The study investigates the major problems associated with management and handling practices and the possible solutions to tackle those problems. Based on the findings from this study, recommendations will be proposed to the hospitals on ways to improve the system of biomedical waste management and handling. A total of 12 individuals from a private company named Gaby-cord limited were involved in the survey at FMC, sample size was chosen based on the idea of saturation. Questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and direct observation were used to gather all the data required for the study at FMC. On the other hand, semistructured interviews, direct observation and hospital records were used to acquire vii information at Aminu Kano teaching hospital (AKTH), Kano. A total of three individuals were involved in the

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Healthcare Waste, also referred to as Biomedical Waste (BMW) is rated to

be the second most hazardous form of waste after radioactive waste. People with

diverse form of infections visit the hospital for treatment; this involves the use of

medical equipment which is regarded as BMW after use. A reasonable number of

hospitals especially in underdeveloped countries fail to manage BMW properly

therefore putting lives at risk. Considering the fact that this category of waste is

generated in medical facilities, its threats can go beyond the facility premises and

affect other people and organisms. It has been noted that an estimated sixteen million

injections are administered globally in a year, but not all of the needles and syringes

are properly disposed of afterwards (WHO, 2011). Improper management of BMW

further promotes higher occurrence and prevalence of diseases both within and

outside the medical facility.

Poor management of BMW has become more prominent especially in the

northern part of Nigeria due to the insufficient attention given to the issue. In most

Nigerian hospitals, waste handlers are employed without considering their level of

knowledge and certification (Longe, 2006). Within healthcare centers waste

segregation can be said to be a major drawback, infectious wastes are usually mixed

up in the same containers with non-infectious waste; thereby increasing the quantity

of infectious waste (Sanusi, 2014). Other factors that promote improper healthcare

waste handling and management in Nigeria include: handling by poorly trained

workers, insufficient resources to carry out the necessary practices and ignorance of

responsibility to handle the waste produced (Khopar, 2009).

2

1.1 Statement of problem

Considering the fact that BMW has been rated as one of the most

hazardous categories of waste in the world, insufficient attention is given to the topic.

To be more precise, BMWM has become a major problem over the years in Nigerian

hospitals. Regarding the health of individuals, proper management of waste has to be

considered as a top priority in both government and owners of private hospitals.

Ignorance of responsibilities to safeguard the health of individuals from the

hazards associated with BMW is a primary issue as well. It is usually assumed that

waste handlers are in charge of waste management but ironically, the 1998 rule on

biomedical waste handling and management clearly states that the responsibility lies

among all those that generate, treat, transport and dispose biomedical waste in

healthcare centers disposal (Ministry of Environment & Forests , 1998).

The question is, despite the fact that BMW is highly and potentially

infectious, why is its proper disposal still a major issue in Nigerian hospitals today?

Results from several studies have investigated several reasons behind this major

drawback. The study in progress uses FMC and AKTH to know the stance of

biomedical waste management in both hospitals.

1.2 Aim/Objectives

This study aims at assessing knowledge, awareness and practices of

biomedical waste management among waste handlers at FMC and AKTH.

– To promote awareness of biomedical waste management among waste

handlers at the hospitals.

3

– To provide feedback and recommendations based on the research to the

hospitals.

– To understand the major drawbacks that result in improper biomedical waste

management in the country.

1.3 Hypothesis

– Practices of BMWM will be poor at FMC and AKTH because they are

tertiary healthcare centers and therefore will not be easy to maintain.

– Knowledge and awareness of BMWM will not be common among waste

handlers due to their level of education.

1.4 Study area

Adamawa state which was formally part of Gongola State was established

in 1991 and is located in the northeastern Nigeria. The state occupies almost 40,000

square kilometers and is populated with about 3,106,585 people (Federal republic of

Nigeria, 2006). It has twenty one local governments with Yola as the State capital.

Compared to other states in Nigeria, Yola is yet to develop to meet with the

development level in Nigeria.

FMC is located on Lamido Zubairu way; Yola bye-pass and is a tertiary

health care center in north eastern Nigeria. The vision of the facility is to be the best

healthcare center in north eastern Nigeria and to be the one of the top ten best

hospitals in the country (Taking It Global, 2014). The hospital has several

departments including casualty wards/ emergency, major operating theatre, minor

operating theatre, laboratory and maternal ward.

Tertiary hospitals are known to have units or organizations in charge of

their waste management. In the case of FMC, Gaby-Cord Company is responsible for

4

its waste disposal. The branch of the company is located near the hospital at Lamido

Zubairu Way; Yola bye-pass, it provides laundry services, office and home cleaning,

industrial waste management and disposal and environmental beautification.Fig 1: FMC, Yola

Source: FMC official website

On the other hand, Kano State which is located the north western part of

Nigeria is a well-developed and populated city. AKTH is a well-known federal

hospital in northern part of Nigeria and it is located along Zaria Road, Kano. It was

established in 1988 and it is well known for its constant records of effectiveness and

professionalism. The hospital’s goal is to ensure that patients are satisfied with their

services and to provide job opportunities for less privileged people in the society.

The hospital has several departments including dental and maxillofacial, hematology

5

and blood transfusion, histopathology, microbiology and parasitology, pediatric,

pharmacy, and physiotherapy.

The environment and horticulture department is responsible for managing and

handling biomedical waste and other aspects of maintaining a fit and healthy hospital

environment. Some of these include the following:

-Ensuring general sanitation of the hospitals

-Undertaking pest and /vector control

-Undertaking fumigation in operating theatres

-Disposing corpses and displacement of from histopathology department

-Collecting and disposing of safety boxes and expired unit of blood