Factors affecting medical waste management in low- level health facilities in Tanzania

Abstract

A study on evaluation of medical waste management systems was conducted in the low-level health facilities (LLHFs) in Dar es Salaam by comparing Ilala and Kinondoni municipalities. Questionnaires, interviews, visits and observation were used in data collection. The study has revealed that; most of the facilities have no specific disposal sites. In Ilala, 70% of the health facilities burn wastes in poorly designed incinerators, open pit burning or on the ground while in Kinondoni, 83% of the facilities bury wastes in the pits. More than 50% of the disposal sites surveyed are not fenced and were in close proximity to human settlements. About 60 and 70% of incinerators in the surveyed facilities in Ilala and Kinondoni municipalities, respectively, are not in good working conditions, 50% of them being of low capacity with some parts missing, e.g., chimneys, ash pits, covers for waste loading and ash removing doors. Also, 9 and 47% of the healthcare facilities in Ilala and Kinondoni, respectively, do not have the Standard Operating Procedures. Medical waste transportation is a serious problem, as 71% of the facilities in Kinondoni carry the wastes on hands to the disposal sites while in Ilala, 40% of LLHFs use wheelbarrows. Waste segregation and colour coding are poorly adhered to while most of the storage areas are too small. It was concluded that, the medical waste management in LLHFs is still poor. Awareness should be raised among LLHFs workers on proper management of the medical wastes.