Abstract
BACKGROUND: Healthcare waste is considered as neglected public health problem in developing
countries.
OBJECTIVES: We aimed this study to explore the factors affecting the Knowledge, attitude and practices
of health workers regarding healthcare waste management (HCWM) in Pakistan.
METHODS: Cross sectional study was done in two major public-sector hospitals in Pakistan. Validated,
pre-structured questionnaire used to interview 275 physicians, nurses and other auxiliary staff after
taking written consent. The sample size was selected according to the proportional size of the each
HCW after sample size calculation for their equal representation from all the healthcare workers groups.
RESULTS: The responses to 24 questions for knowledge, 12 questions for attitude and 20 for practice
were used to create three respective dependent variables for analysis to measure independent
association of socio-demographic factors on the health workers’ knowledge, attitude and practice.
Younger workers, males and paramedics were statistically significantly less likely to achieve mean
score on knowledge and HCWM practices (P=<0.05). Operation theatres workers as compared to other
departments were 25 times more knowledgeable and had better practices (P=<0.05). Paramedical staff
was more knowledgeable and had better practices while handling the healthcare waste as compared to
physicians and nursing staff (P=<0.001). Physicians had positive attitude as compare to paramedics and
nursing staff (P=<0.001). Workers with 5-10 years of experience were 4 times more likely to have positive
attitude about HCWM (P=<0.02).
CONCLUSION: The occupation was statistically significant factors affecting the Knowledge, attitude and
practices among doctors, paramedics and nurses.
Ramesh Kumar, Ratana Somrongthong, Jamil Ahmed, Amer Jebril Almarabheh. (2018) Correlates of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices about Health Care Waste Management among Hospital Workers of Pakistan, Journal of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Volume-17, Issue-1.
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