Factors Influencing Waste Segregation Among Staff in Chuka Level Four Hospital

Abstract

Proper segregation, handling and disposal of medical waste is an imperative component on preventing potential risk for injury, infection, and environmental pollution. Globally there are well defined set of rules for handling medical waste but unfortunately, laxity and lack of adequate training and awareness in the execution of these rules can lead to serious health implications. Thus, the main objective for this study was to investigate the factors affecting segregation of waste in Chuka hospital. Specifically the study aimed at identifying the health care waste generated in the hospital, determining the knowledge level of health workers on waste segregation, assessing the attitude of staff on waste segregation and establishing the structural support towards waste segregation in the hospital. The study applied the descriptive research design and the target population was 330 comprising of doctors, nurses, other health workers and support staff drawn from Chuka level four hospital. The study employed the simple random sampling technique to get the study sample size. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 66 participant respondents as the study sample size. The research instrument for data collection was a questionnaire consisting both open-ended and closed-ended questions as per study variables. Reliability of the research instruments was tested and improved by use of test-retest method. Quantitative data was coded and analyzed using the SPSS (Statistical Package for social Scientists) version 22 program. The descriptive statistics indices such as tables, frequencies distribution and percentages, pie charts and graphs were used to represent the data. The most common waste was the highly infectious waste infectious waste, sharps and the non-infectious waste which included food items, empty bottles for drinks, paper, and packaging material. Correct knowledge and safe practices of health care workers was very important when managing the health care waste. Few health care workers were trained on health care waste management and majority did not differentiate the different coded containers for disposing waste. The attitude of workers was aggravated by poor working condition, shortage of health care workers, overcrowded wards, poor communication and uncooperative behavior among some health care workers. There was a shortage of dust bines and bin liners in the hospital for waste segregation. In conclusion the hospital waste management practices should be improved at Chuka general hospital through training and provision of relevant equipment.