DETERMINATION OF THE KNOWLEDGE ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES OF HANDLING AND DISPOSING SHARP OBJECTS AFTER SURGERY AMONGST AUXILLARY STAFF.

Abstract

Context: Medical waste is a grave problem for health care staff, public health and ecosystem. Due to inappropriate handling and disposing of sharp waste after surgery there is an increase in spread infectious diseases and hence a threat to human life. AIM and OBJECTIVES: To determine the knowledge regarding needle-stick and sharp object injury, practices regarding disposal of used sharp instruments and attitude towards sharp instrument waste management amongst auxillary staff. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It was descriptive analytical study. Ethical clearance was taken from institutional review board. Informed consent was taken from the participants. 275 subjects (nurses and auxillary staff) were given a questionnaire which consisted of 15 sets of questions based on knowledge, attitude and practices of disposing and handling sharp objects after surgery. As per the answers, scores were given as Weak <50%, Moderate 50 – 74.99%, Good 75 to 100%. Results: Statistical analysis was done using chi square test. Study showed that the knowledge and awareness as well as practice protocol adopted were moderate (50-75%) while their attitude towards handling and disposing sharp objects was definitely good. Conclusion: There is dearth of knowledge about sharp waste management and also practice protocol followed have to be improved. Keywords: biomedical waste, auxillary staff, ecosystem, health hazards, sharp objects. Key message: There is a void in the knowledge about sharp waste handling and management and the practices followed have to be upgraded and this lacunae can be filled by introducing more continuing education and training programmes.