A Study to Assess the Knowledge on Biomedical Waste Management Among GNM Students at Selected School of Nursing, Vrindavan, Mathura, U.P.

Abstract

Abstract: In pursuing the aim of abating health problems and enhancing the quality of care, healthcare facilities inevitably create waste that may itself be hazardous to health. Proper management of such waste is not only a legal, but also a social responsibility of the hospitals. Segregation at the site of waste generation is the first and foremost important step in healthcare waste management. It is emphasized as a means of ensuring that hazardous healthcare risk waste and healthcare general waste are separated and stored in appropriate containers. The importance of segregation is highlighted by the mere fact that only 10% to 25% of waste generated in health facilities is hazardous. Failure of this vital step turns non-hazardous waste into hazardous. Segregation also enables those who handle the containers outside the hospital wards to identify and treat them appropriately. There has been a sharp increase in the amount of waste generated from both health facilities and households. It is estimated that 0.5 to 2.0 kg per bed per day hospital waste is generated in India. Therefore, Biomedical waste must be properly managed and disposed of to protect the environment, general public and workers, especially healthcare and sanitation workers who are at risk of exposure to biomedical waste as an occupational hazard. Objectives 1-To assess the level of knowledge among the GNM students regarding Biomedical waste in selected hospital of Vrindavan. 2- To correlate the knowledge of GNM students regarding Biomedical waste with selected demographic variables Methodology: This study was conducted to assess knowledge among the GNM students regarding Biomedical waste in selected Hospital in Vrindavan, Mathura and the descriptive study design was selected. Population selected was GNM students and sample size were 70. The consent was taken from samples. The subjects were selected by convenient sampling technique. The structured questionnaires were distributed to the students to assess their level of knowledge regarding Biomedical waste management after obtaining an informed consent. Data was collected by using Structured Knowledge Questionnaire. Results: The study revealed that the level of knowledge among the students who has inadequate knowledge was 12.85% those who have moderate knowledge is 67.15% and adequate 20%. The chi-square test revealed that there was significant association with age, and training attended by students on Biomedical waste management and there is no significant association with year, source of information, area of working. Keywords: Biomedical waste, Management, knowledge