Associated factors of medical waste management practices in developing countries: a review

Abstract

The heterogeneous composition of medical waste (MW) has continuously posed challenges with its management, with efforts concentrating primarily on treatment and disposal solutions. This has left a legacy of issues, especially in developing nations. The aim of this study was to examine the associated factors of medical waste management (MWM) practices in healthcare facilities in developing nations. Through a literature review of existing studies on (MW) definitions, and factors associated with its management, from regulation and policy formulation to disposal, the study identified factors such as poor regulatory frameworks, poor training, poor financing, poor infrastructure and low technological advancement, and influence of social factors, e.g., cultural norms as key issues. This paper has viewed the challenges of MWM in developing countries to be more of a management issue than a technological issue and has identified routine management approaches within an integrated sustainable MWM framework to drive improvements in MWM programmes.