Knowledge, Attitude, Practices regarding Bio Medical Waste Management among Interns at Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Among the key factors influencing the success of BMWM is the
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) of healthcare workers (HCWs) responsible
for managing such waste. The Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) model is an
effective framework for understanding and improving BMWM in healthcare settings.
The main objectives focused on KAP of internees working at hospital, Interns are
also responsible for collection, segregation, transport and proper disposal of Bio
Medical Waste management while doing any procedures to patients.
Materials and Methods: This is a observational, descriptive, cross sectional study in
which a pre-structured questionnaire consisting of 31 questions to assess knowledge,
attitude and practices on BMW management was designed based on the biomedical
waste management guidelines. This questionnaire was distributed to all interns who
expressed their interest to participate in this study.
Results: All the internees have good knowledge regarding health hazard associated
with bio medical waste but 132 (88%) out of 150 internees were aware of universal
precautions regarding BMWM and only 86 (57.3%) were aware of recent
modifications of BMWM. Out of 150 internees, 136 (90%) stated bio medical waste
should be handled with utmost care and 96 (64%) consider disposal of health care
waste as financial and extra burden. Only 110 (73.3%) out of 150 internees had
practice of segregation of general waste from clinical waste and disposal of bio
medical waste
Conclusion: Knowledge about the formulated guidelines of biomedical waste
management are clearly known in interns but the attitude and practices are little poor.
Attitude and practices of segregation and disposal of biomedical waste can be
improved by regular intensive training sessions should be planned by administration
and by strong impulse from infection control team on patient care area working
professionals.