Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices about Biomedical Waste Management among Healthcare Personnel in Primary Healthcare Centers in Western Maharashtra

Abstract

Background: The absence of proper waste management, lack of awareness about the health hazards of biomedicalwastes, and poor control of waste disposal pose the most critical problems. It is essential for healthcare workersto have the knowledge, practice, and safe method for biomedical waste handling. Our objective is to assess theknowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) about BMW management among healthcare workers working at PHCin rural health areas.Methods: The present community-based cross-sectional study was carried out among the healthcare personnelin primary healthcare centers in randomly selected Taluka of Western Maharashtra. For this questionnaire-basedcross-sectional study, a questionnaire was designed which includes,relevant aspects of BMW Management likeknowledge about various types of biomedical waste, its disposal in various color-coded bags, and its transport.Through the one-to-one interview, information was obtained as per the questionnaire. Data entry was done in aMicrosoft Excel sheet and analysis was done. Proportion & percentage were used to interpret the result.Conclusions: There was a lack of knowledge regarding segregation & transmission of diseases through BMWamong sanitary staff. It also shows that enough precautions were not being taken for preventing needle stickinjuries among nurses and sanitary staff.