Evaluation of Health Risks of Improper Biomedical Waste Management among Health Workers in Selected Hospitals in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Improper biomedical wastes management could lead to health risks and environmental hazards. The study aimed to evaluate the health risks of improper biomedical wastes management among health workers. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 health workers across private and public hospitals in Abuja, Nigeria, using a self-developed and administered questionnaire. Analysis of the data involved descriptive and inferential statistics. The Nurses were the predominant respondents (28%), and many respondents had bachelor’s degree qualifications (86%). The respondents agreed that health workers are exposed to several health risks following poor handling of biomedical wastes from the point of generation, transport, treatment, and disposal. The study revealed satisfactory practices of precautionary measures while experience, gender, and type of hospital were significantly associated with the transmission of blood-borne infections such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) through needle pricks and injuries from sharps (p<0.0001). Gender and hospital type were significantly related to environmental pollution (p<0.0001), and work experience was significantly linked to water and foodborne infections such as cholera and typhoid (p<0.0003). Work experience and hospital type were significantly associated with the public health risks of improper biomedical wastes management (p<0.0001). Training of health workers on appropriate safety procedures of biomedical waste management is essential to prevent occupational health hazards, achieve a safe working environment, and efficient health service delivery. Government and hospital management should enforce appropriate safety measures. Keywords: Biomedical Wastes, Health Risks, Infections, Injuries, Occupational Health Hazards.