Knowledge, Attitude, And Practices of Biomedical Waste Management(Principle) Rules 2016; Biomedical Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2018 Among Health Care Workers in A Teaching Hospital: A Critical Appraisal On the Current State and Way Ahead

Abstract

Hospital-generated waste materials commonly labeled as 'Biomedical waste (BMW) is a kind of remnant that includesinfectious and non-infectious materials, and their appropriate disposals are controlled per the guidelines of Biomedical wastemanagement (BMWM) Amendment Rules, 2018, Government of India. Periodic assessment on BMWM among health care workers(HCW) is mandated to ensure quality assurance which may be helpful during pandemic times. The study was conducted with ethicalclearance using a validated questionnaire (using Cronbach's α) covering Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) derived based onrecent Biomedical waste management 2018 guidelines. The study conductors checked the responses in context to KAP; appropriatestatistical analysis was done and discussed at the end of each session. Nearly 279 HCWs participated in the study and cast theirresponses. Knowledge and attitude domain on BMWM showed statistical significance, and varied responses were observed withpractices among the participants. The present study proves novelty by extensively analyzing KAP among healthcare workers onbiomedical waste management in general, with particular emphasis on laboratory biosafety norms. The study emphasizes thatBMWM should be a continuous process, and all HCWs handling BMW must undergo regular training and assessment withquestionnaire surveys. Multi-tasking and cumulative efforts must be formulated to attain translational synergy in the stream of KAPof BMWM, which could be attained by incorporating BMWM in the health science curriculum.