Abstract
Background: Type 2 diabetic patients are major users of medical sharps in the community. Proper sharp disposal practice among them, however, was reported to be low. The current study was aimed to determine the factors contributing to sharp waste disposal at a health care facility among Type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, Type 2 diabetic patients who were on insulin therapy attending health clinics were randomly selected and interviewed using a validated questionnaire. Binary logistic regression analysis was applied. Results: Out of 304 respondents, only 11.5% of them brought their used sharps to be disposed at health care facilities. Previous advice on sharp disposal from health care providers, knowledge score, and duration of diabetes were significant contributing factors for sharp waste disposal at health care facilities: (Adj. OR 6.31; 95% CI: 2.63, 15.12; p < 0.001), (Adj. OR 1.05; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.08; p < 0.001), and (Adj. OR 2.51; 95% CI: 1.06, 5.93; p = 0.036), respectively. Conclusion: Continuous education and a locally adapted safe sharp disposal option must be available to increase awareness and facilitate diabetic patients adopting proper sharp disposal behavior.
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is becoming an important public health concern globally, with the number of adults living with diabetes being reported to be on an escalating trend
A cross sectional study was conducted among Type 2 DM patients attending government primary health clinics in two selected districts in Kelantan state, which is located in the North-East region of peninsular Malaysia
As in Malaysian context, clinical sharp waste is classified as scheduled waste that is regulated under the Environmental Quality Act 1974, which states that the waste needs to be disposed at a central collection area and destructed via incineration process [25]
Summary
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is becoming an important public health concern globally, with the number of adults living with diabetes being reported to be on an escalating trend. Type 2 DM accounts for the vast majority of people with diabetes, causing a significant public health burden [1]. The majority of this increase occurs in developing countries, including Malaysia, due to population growth, ageing, unhealthy diet, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle [2,3]. Patients with Type 2 DM may have worsening glycaemia due to a progressive decline in beta cell function This will eventually cause oral anti-diabetic agents to be ineffective, most of diabetic patients may require long-term insulin therapy [4].
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