Determinants of the Choice of Biomedical Waste Management Methods in Tertiary Health Facilities in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

Improper treatment and disposal of biomedical waste are much more dangerous to the health status of the community and/or health facility than the disease itself. This study therefore assessed factors influencing the choice of biomedical waste management and treatment methods/equipment in use at the Ekiti State tertiary health facilities. The survey questionnaire was used to obtain data from health practitioners of different cadres in the wards and laboratories while the study employed a descriptive research design. Statistical evidence based on ninety-eight purposively selected respondents revealed that all tested factors were significant at 0.01 level as the infectious/hazardous nature of the waste, and cultural and social basis emerged as the most and least influencing factors with 0.831 and 0.597 relative importance indexes, respectively. The study concludes that tested factors inform the choice of biomedical waste handling equipment/methods employed. It is therefore recommended that efforts should not only be geared towards adequate consciousness of these factors by the waste handlers when determining the method to be used, but the government, leadership of healthcare facilities, and health practitioners should also ensure the availability of appropriate management and treatment technologies/methods to inhibit accidental outbreaks of epidemics in the community.