Disposal Of Infectious Waste Research Articles

Selection of healthcare waste disposal firms using a multi-method approach

The aim of this study is to propose a hybrid multi criteria decision making model with a linear programming (LP) model to tackle the issue of safe disposal of hazardous and infectious healthcare waste. For this, ten criteria in this study have been identified from literature and field surveys which are modelled using Decision making trial and evaluation (DEMATEL) and Analytic network process (ANP) methods to select the best disposal firm i.e. single sourcing for a hospital. We found that Experience of the firm, Technology for disposal, and Waste collection infrastructure acts as the most vital criteria in selecting a healthcare waste disposal firm for single sourcing. Furthermore, to optimize the total value of disposal and mitigating the risk involved in disposing waste through single sourcing; the LP model considering constraints such as waste lose constraint and waste processing constraint etc. Is solved for multiple sourcing using Lingo 18.0. The solution to LP results into allocation of 500, 500, and 1000 (kg/day) disposables to healthcare waste disposal firms D1, D2 and D3, respectively. The multi-method approach proposed in this study helps the hospital management in selecting economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable healthcare waste disposal firm.

To Study the Awareness about Universal Health Precautions among Nursing Professionals in a Medical College Hospital of India.

Background:The universal health-care precautions (UHP) aim at preventing health-care workers contact with blood and other body fluids by performing various infection control practices such as handwashing, wearing gloves and mask, safe disposal of infectious waste, and safe cleansing of used instruments.Objective:The study was conducted to assess the knowledge and awareness among nursing professionals regarding UHPs.Methodology:It was a cross-sectional study done on nursing professionals across all seniority and from various specialties including superspecialties. A pretested questionnaire consisting of 25 questions was used as a study tool.Results:There were a total of 550 respondents. The mean knowledge score of the respondents was 17.31 (range: 6–24). The mean score was 69.25% of the total achievable score. In the subgroup analysis, respondents above 60 years of age, married, females, urban residents, and nursing sisters scored better than the middle-aged professionals, unmarried, males, rural residents, and staff nurses.Conclusion:The study concludes important clues for further research and interventions. As the nursing professionals are learning about UHP from practical exposure rather than formal teaching, it is pertinent to address this issue through well-planned formal sessions of training workshops and lecture discussions.

Managing healthcare waste for sustainable environmental development: A hybrid decision approach

AbstractHealthcare waste management (HCWM) has become the most concerned issue for hospitals to enhance their environmental performance while reducing the waste disposal costs. The present study aims to standardize the evaluation criteria for the stakeholders to ensure sustainable environmental development by safe disposal of infectious healthcare waste (HCW). The present study applied the fuzzy‐Delphi method to scrutinize the criteria identified from the literature and experts' opinions and resulted in 20 subcriteria under the following six main dimensions: experience, relationship, environmental factors, technology and qualification, economic factors, and firm's capabilities. Further, this study proposed a hybrid approach based on analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and decision‐making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) under fuzzy environment to analyze the importance and interrelationships of these listed criteria. The study also showed that the experts have given approximately 70% weightage to three main criteria: firms' capabilities, economic factors, and technology and qualification. The implications of the study would help the healthcare administration and Pollution Control Boards to prepare check sheets for recording HCWM practices and, hence, contribute to sustainable environmental development in an efficient way. Understanding the prioritized cause‐group criteria would further protect hospitals' environment from the spread of infection caused by the HCW in the long run.

Covid-19 and Challenges of Management of Infectious Medical Waste in Nigeria: A Case of Taraba State

The outbreak and spread of covid-19 pandemic has triggered awareness in people about how vital the hospital waste management process in every single country can be. The increasing number of covid-19 infection in Nigeria is already putting increasing pressure on the healthcare systems in the country. The highly infectious nature of the coronavirus would require a complex and special protocol of handling and managing the infectious medical waste generated such as confinement (bins, bags etc.) and availability of proper storage and disposal facilities. In Nigeria, all efforts towards containing the outbreak and spread of the corona virus is directed towards establishing testing, isolation and treatment centres/facilities. Little or nothing is said about the handling and safe disposal of infectious waste generated from the management of the disease. This study has examined covid-19 and the challenges of management of infectious medical waste in Nigeria using the case of Taraba state. The study used interview and secondary materials online to generate data used in the study. The study findings reveal that the medical waste is spread out beyond hospitals. Findings from the study reveals that Jalingo the state capital has no any officially approved dumpsite in the metropolis. Also the tertiary healthcare facilities in the State has no proper safe disposal facilities of infectious medical waste at the moment. Other challenges include the various myths surrounding the reality of the covid-19 pandemic, poor enforcement of infectious medical waste guidelines and lack of political will on the part of the government. Based on the findings, the study recommends effective enforcement of the guidelines on the safe disposal of infectious, use of PPEs by all waste collection workers and creation of environmental department in every hospital to handle all infectious medical waste.

Managing Medical Wastes During the Covid-19 Pandemic in Nigeria

A pandemic disease poses great threats to humans and apparently, leading to a global crisis and challenge on the health, economic and other sectors of human endeavour. In order to minimize the devastating effects from pandemics such as the novel corona virus, effective management of ever increasing medical waste is pertinent. Recently, Nigeria has been reporting increasing number of cases from Covid-19 with increasing pressure mounted on the Government, healthcare systems and the populace in entirety. Owing to the high rate of infection from the corona virus, a more sophisticated method of managing the generated infectious is pertinent to mitigate the effects of the infectious medical waste accruing to the environment. More emphasis in the spread and management of covid-19 in Nigeria is focused on establishing testing centres, treatment centres and isolation facilities with little attention or no attention towards establishment of a safe disposal facilities for the infectious waste generated. This study has assessed effective management strategies for covid-19 associated medical wastes in Nigeria. Data for the study was majorly descriptive and adapted from secondary source through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC). Investigations from the study carried out reveals that Nigeria's foremost Environmental Regulatory body has no officially assigned dumpsite across the country for medical waste. Furthermore, the tertiary healthcare facilities across Nigeria's states has no safe and proper facilities for disposal of infectious medical waste. Challenges such as the various lackadaisical attitude and negligence of the populace towards covid-19 pandemic as well as poor enforcement of guidelines on infectious medical waste. In addition, the study recommends based on the findings, the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) by waste collectors and the involvement of relevant stakeholders in the creation of environmental department to be supervised by Environmental Health Officers in all hospitals as a measure to ensure effective enforcement of the guidelines on safe disposal of infectious medical waste.

Medical waste management and environmental assessment in the Rio University Hospital, Western Greece

At this study a multi-criteria model was developed to examine the available procedures, techniques and methods of handling infectious waste in the large healthcare unit of University Regional General Hospital of Patras, Western Greece. Particularly, this study examined the: a) current legislation and Directives issued for medical waste management at Greece and among the other EU-members, b) contribution of healthcare wastes (HCW) generation rate on social and economic parameters in selected European countries, c) available procedures, techniques, and methods upon the disposal of infectious wastes at the healthcare studied, and, d) propositions for integrated management of such hazardous wastes. Specifically, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) methodology was applied under pair wise comparison matrices in two stages: 1) the scale factors and the indicators, and 2) the criteria and their sub–criteria. The assessment of these pair wise matrices included the indicators and the sub–criteria. Subsequently, two pair wise comparison matrices, upon a) the “Fulfillment of environmental objectives” indicator and b) the “Energy consumption” sub criterion, were denoted. The AHP methodology yielded good results; however there is still space of improving the environmental performance. The normalized relative weights obtained for the criteria and sub criteria motivated specific actions that have to be handled. Particularly, the results indicated a very good value in environmental management criteria due the values obtained for the commitment towards the environmental policy standards and the waste management procedures. However, further improvements on staff awareness (such as development programs to enhance sensitivity) and more green purchasing suppliers, should be further addressed.

Intra-Urban Solid Waste Disposal Practice in Selected Hospitals in Ota, Nigeria

The study examined waste disposal options employed by the different hospital authorities in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. This is with a view to ascertaining whether the methods are environment-friendly. Data for the research were obtained through questionnaire administration and interview. There are thirty eight (38) hospitals distributed within the five (5) wards in Ota Township. For the purpose of this study, 25% of the hospitals were sampled. Using stratified sampling technique, two hospitals were selected from each ward. This translated to 10 hospitals. Questionnaires were administered to all cleaners in each of the hospitals, while interview was conducted on head of the hospitals and waste management team where available. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study shows that virtually all the surveyed hospitals adopted the same methods for disposing their medical waste components.It could be concluded that methods employed in the disposal of pathological, pharmaceutical, sharps, radioactive, infectious and general waste were inadequate. The study recommends the use of modern approach and technology in the disposal of medical waste in order to forestall inherent hazards.

Bioseguridad en centros de belleza y estética

El presente estudio fue realizado en centros de belleza de la ciudad de Tulcán, provincia del Carchi. Con el objetivo de determinar el nivel de conocimiento sobre bioseguridad en las trabajadoras/es de los centros de belleza y su aplicabilidad en la atención a los usuarios/ as. Las personas que trabajan en los centros de belleza y estética tienen contacto íntimo con la piel, enfermos y a veces sangre. Las tijeras, navajas de afeitar, pinzas e instrumentos faciales a veces resultan en cortes, los cuales al contaminarse deben ser desinfectados o eliminados para evitar trasmitir enfermedades a los usuarios/as. Se realiza un estudio descriptivo, cuali-cuantitativo y de campo utilizando como técnicas de estudio la encuesta, con el fin de determinar el nivel de conocimiento sobre bioseguridad en las trabajadoras/ es de los centros de belleza y la observación directa para determinar la aplicabilidad de las normas de bioseguridad en el establecimiento. Como resultados se obtuvo que el 50% de los/las encuestadas desconocen sobre las normas de bioseguridad, el 81.25% afirmó utilizar a veces guantes para realizar los procedimientos cosméticos o capilares, el 68,75% no han recibido algún tipo de capacitación sobre protocolos de bioseguridad, el 68.75% mencionó utilizar el uniforme apropiado a veces. Además de acuerdo a los datos recabados en la ficha de observación se obtuvo que un 31,25% de los establecimientos no cuentan con recipientes adecuados para la eliminación de desechos corto-punzantes, el 87,5% no cuentan con recipientes para la eliminación de desechos infecciosos, el 100% no disponen de recipientes para desechos especiales y no clasifican de forma correcta los desechos. En conclusión, se pudo evidenciar que existe un alto riesgo de trasmisión de enfermedades por parte de los/las trabajadoras hacia los usuarios debido al bajo conocimiento y aplicabilidad de normas de bioseguridad.

Cost- Effectiveness Analysis of Infectious Waste Treatment Devices in Hospital

Introduction: Today, the infectious wastes of hospitals are considered as a public health problem. Considering the huge amounts of hazardous wastes and the disadvantages of incinerators, we need to investigate the non-combustible devices involved in biochemical treatment. This study was carried out with the aim of evaluating the cost-effectiveness of infectious wastes devices. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and economic efficiency of the infectious waste devices in Yazd and Isfahan hospitals. In this study, the total cost of infectious waste treatment systems in hospitals, the Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratio (ICER), as well as the sensitivity rate for the reduction of infectious wastes were calculated using Treeage software version 2011. In order to calculate the cost effectiveness using the total cost and the amount of produced waste, we applied the discount rate of five percent and the useful life of 10 years for each device. Results: Based on the results, devices A and F had the highest and the lowest total cost, respectively. In addition, autoclave D with an ICER of 257.20 was more cost effective than other devices. So, device D, with a discount rate of ±5 and a range of 244.244 - 270.06 was chosen as the best option for infectious waste disposal. Conclusion: The results can be used to explore and outline the future prospects for choosing the best technology for treatment of infectious waste in hospitals. In other words, we have different options on different circumstances and occasions

A Hybrid Multi-Criteria Analysis Model for Solving the Facility Location–Allocation Problem: A Case Study of Infectious Waste Disposal

Choosing locations for infectious waste disposal (IWD) is one of the most significant issues in hazardous waste management due to the risk imposed on the environment and human life. This risk can be the result of an undesirable location of IWD facilities. In this study a hybrid multi-criteria analysis (Hybrid MCA) model for solving the facility location–allocation (FLA) problem for IWD was developed by combining two objectives: total cost minimization and weight maximization. Based on an actual case of forty-seven hospitals and three candidate municipalities in the northeastern region of Thailand, first, the Fuzzy AHP and Fuzzy TOPSIS techniques were integrated to determine the closeness of the coefficient weights of each candidate municipality. After that, these weights were converted to weighting factors and then these factors were taken into the objective function of the FLA model. The results showed that the Hybrid MCA model can help decision makers to locate disposal centers, hospitals and incinerator size simultaneously. Besides that the model can be extended by incorporating additional selection criteria/objectives. Therefore, it is believed that it can also be useful for addressing other complex problems.

Risk of Potential Exposure Incident in Non-healthcare Workers in Contact with Infectious and Municipal Waste.

IntroductionThe proper classification of sharp and infectious waste in situ by the healthcare workers is an important measure of prevention of sharps and other exposure incidents in non-healthcare workers, who handle such waste. The aim was to examine the practice of classifying sharp and infectious waste in family and dental practices.MethodsAn analysis of 50 bags of infectious and 50 bags of municipal waste from five family and five dental practices for five days in October 2016 at the Health centre Osijek.ResultsHealthcare workers in 70% of the practices deposited sharps in infectious waste. In 56% of infectious waste bags, sharp object were found. More risky bags of infectious waste were produced by family practices (64%), but with no significant differences in relation to dental practices (48%), (P=0.143). Disposing of infectious into municipal waste was the case in 90% of the practitioners, where in 60% of municipal waste bags, infectious waste was disposed. Dental practices produced more risky bags of municipal waste (76%) in relation to family practices (44%), but with no significant difference (P=0.714).ConclusionsThe results of this research point to importance of performing audits of proper disposal of sharps and infectious waste to reduce the risks of injury to non-healthcare workers who come into contact with the said waste. Given results could be used for framing written protocols of proper disposal of sharps and infectious waste that should be visibly available in family and dental practices and for education of healthcare workers.

Environmental conditions in health care facilities in low- and middle-income countries: Coverage and inequalities.

Safe environmental conditions and the availability of standard precaution items are important to prevent and treat infection in health care facilities (HCFs) and to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets for health and water, sanitation, and hygiene. Baseline coverage estimates for HCFs have yet to be formed for the SDGs; and there is little evidence describing inequalities in coverage. To address this, we produced the first coverage estimates of environmental conditions and standard precaution items in HCFs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs); and explored factors associated with low coverage. Data from monitoring reports and peer-reviewed literature were systematically compiled; and information on conditions, service levels, and inequalities tabulated. We used logistic regression to identify factors associated with low coverage. Data for 21 indicators of environmental conditions and standard precaution items were compiled from 78 LMICs which were representative of 129,557 HCFs. 50% of HCFs lack piped water, 33% lack improved sanitation, 39% lack handwashing soap, 39% lack adequate infectious waste disposal, 73% lack sterilization equipment, and 59% lack reliable energy services. Using nationally representative data from six countries, 2% of HCFs provide all four of water, sanitation, hygiene, and waste management services. Statistically significant inequalities in coverage exist between HCFs by: urban-rural setting, managing authority, facility type, and sub-national administrative unit. We identified important, previously undocumented inequalities and environmental health challenges faced by HCFs in LMICs. The information and analyses provide evidence for those engaged in improving HCF conditions to develop evidence-based policies and efficient programs, enhance service delivery systems, and make better use of available resources.

Solving a multi-objective location routing problem for infectious waste disposal using hybrid goal programming and hybrid genetic algorithm

Solving a multi-objective location routing problem for infectious waste disposal using hybrid goal programming and hybrid genetic algorithm

Using the hybrid fuzzy goal programming model and hybrid genetic algorithm to solve a multi-objective location routing problem for infectious waste disposal

Purpose: Disposal of infectious waste remains one of the most serious problems in the social and environmental domains of almost every nation. Selection of new suitable locations and finding the optimal set of transport routes to transport infectious waste, namely location routing problem for infectious waste disposal, is one of the major problems in hazardous waste management.Design/methodology/approach: Due to the complexity of this problem, location routing problem for a case study, forty hospitals and three candidate municipalities in sub-Northeastern Thailand, was divided into two phases. The first phase is to choose suitable municipalities using hybrid fuzzy goal programming model which hybridizes the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process and fuzzy goal programming. The second phase is to find the optimal routes for each selected municipality using hybrid genetic algorithm which hybridizes the genetic algorithm and local searches including 2-Opt-move, Insertion-move and ?-interchange-move.Findings: The results indicate that the hybrid fuzzy goal programming model can guide the selection of new suitable municipalities, and the hybrid genetic algorithm can provide the optimal routes for a fleet of vehicles effectively.Originality/value: The novelty of the proposed methodologies, hybrid fuzzy goal programming model, is the simultaneous combination of both intangible and tangible factors in order to choose new suitable locations, and the hybrid genetic algorithm can be used to determine the optimal routes which provide a minimum number of vehicles and minimum transportation cost under the actual situation, efficiently.

An optimization model for collection, haul, transfer, treatment and disposal of infectious medical waste: Application to a Greek region

The objective of this work was to develop an optimization model to minimize the cost of a collection, haul, transfer, treatment and disposal system for infectious medical waste (IMW). The model calculates the optimum locations of the treatment facilities and transfer stations, their design capacities (t/d), the number and capacities of all waste collection, transport and transfer vehicles and their optimum transport path and the minimum IMW management system cost. Waste production nodes (hospitals, healthcare centers, peripheral health offices, private clinics and physicians in private practice) and their IMW production rates were specified and used as model inputs. The candidate locations of the treatment facilities, transfer stations and sanitary landfills were designated, using a GIS-based methodology. Specifically, Mapinfo software with exclusion criteria for non-appropriate areas was used for siting candidate locations for the construction of the treatment plant and calculating the distance and travel time of all possible vehicle routes. The objective function was a non-linear equation, which minimized the total collection, transport, treatment and disposal cost. Total cost comprised capital and operation costs for: (1) treatment plant, (2) waste transfer stations, (3) waste transport and transfer vehicles and (4) waste collection bins and hospital boxes. Binary variables were used to decide whether a treatment plant and/or a transfer station should be constructed and whether a collection route between two or more nodes should be followed. Microsoft excel software was used as installation platform of the optimization model. For the execution of the optimization routine, two completely different software were used and the results were compared, thus, resulting in higher reliability and validity of the results. The first software was Evolver, which is based on the use of genetic algorithms. The second one was Crystal Ball, which is based on Monte Carlo simulation. The model was applied to the Region of East Macedonia – Thrace in Greece. The optimum solution resulted in one treatment plant located in the sanitary landfill area of Chrysoupolis, required no transfer stations and had a total management cost of 38,800 €/month or 809 €/t. If a treatment plant is sited in the most eastern part of the Region, i.e., the industrial area of Alexandroupolis, the optimum solution would result in a transfer station of 23 m3, located near Kavala General Hospital, and a total cost of 39,800 €/month or 831 €/t. A sensitivity analysis was conducted and two alternative scenarios were optimized. In the first scenario, a 15% rise in fuel cost and in the second scenario a 25% rise in IMW production were considered. At the end, a cost calculation in €/t/km for every type of vehicle used for haul and transfer was conducted. Also, the cost of the whole system was itemized and calculated in €/t/km and €/t. The results showed that the higher percentage of the total cost was due to the construction of the treatment plant.

Solving multi-objective facility location problem using the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process and goal programming: a case study on infectious waste disposal centers

The selection of a suitable location for infectious waste disposal is one of the major problems in waste management. Determining the location of infectious waste disposal centers is a difficult and complex process because it requires combining social and environmental factors that are hard to interpret, and cost factors that require the allocation of resources. Additionally, it depends on several regulations. Based on the actual conditions of a case study, forty hospitals and three candidate municipalities in the sub-Northeast region of Thailand, we considered multiple factors such as infrastructure, geological and social & environmental factors, calculating global priority weights using the fuzzy analytical hierarchy process (FAHP). After that, a new multi-objective facility location problem model which combines FAHP and goal programming (GP), namely the FAHP-GP model, was tested. The proposed model can lead to selecting new suitable locations for infectious waste disposal by considering both total cost and final priority weight objectives. The novelty of the proposed model is the simultaneous combination of relevant factors that are difficult to interpret and cost factors, which require the allocation of resources.

Epidemiology of Needlestick Injuries Among Healthcare Workers in Tehran, Iran: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Healthcare workers (HCW) such as medical, dental, nursing and midwifery workers are at high risk for occupational exposure to blood-borne pathogens such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV through sharp injuries of needlestick. Objectives: The current study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of needlestick injuries (NSIs) among healthcare workers in Milad hospital in Tehran, Iran, from 2007 to 2011 and investigate the related factors of needle sticking in the hospital in order to decrease the risk of infectious diseases transmission due to needlestick injury. Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was performed among healthcare workers including nursing staff, physicians, gynecologist, laboratory staff, cleaners and garbage collectors in Milad hospital in Tehran, Iran, over a five-year period from 2007 to 2011. All of the NSIs data was obtained from infection control committee in Milad hospital. Questionnaire sheets were filled up and all of the information was rechecked one more time by experts. The information included demographic questions and NSI related questions. Vaccination for HBV and titer of hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) were recorded. The association between demographic and needlestick characteristics was tested through working shifts. Results: In the current study, 608 out of 3806 hospital staff including 209 (34.3%) male and 399 (65.7%) female had NSIs over a five-year period in Milad hospital. Most of the NSIs was observed in enrolled nurse, nursing sister and midwife groups 308 (50.7%) followed by servants 122 (20.1%) and the lowest was found in laboratory staff 14 (2.3%). Staff who worked in the internal medicine ward 95 (15.6%), emergency ward 72 (11.8%) and intensive care unit (ICU) 58 (9.5%) had experienced NSIs. There were uniform time patterns of NSIs by working shifts; therefore, the lowest number of the injuries occurred in the start of working shift (7:00 am, 01:00 pm and 07:00 pm) and increased along the time. Most of the NSIs occurred through taking blood and injection 182 (29.9%). Compared to NSI data by working shift, the greater number of the injuries occurred in the evening and night, but it was not statistically significant through needlestick characteristics (P value > 0.05). Conclusions: Nurses are at the highest risk for NSIs and servants the second. Staff training, proper use of protective equipment, proper disposal of infectious waste and vaccination of all staff against HBV might be effective measures towards reduction of the number of NSIs.

Current Status of Infection Prevention and Control Programs for Emergency Medical Personnel in the Republic of Korea.

Objectives:Emergency medical personnel (EMPs) are pre-hospital emergency responders who are at risk of exposure to infections and may also serve as a source for the transmission of infections. However, few studies of infection control have specifically addressed EMPs in the Republic of Korea (hereafter Korea). The goal of this study was to assess the current status of infection prevention and control programs (IPCPs) for EMPs in Korea.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted to quantitatively assess the resources and activities of IPCPs. A total of 907 EMPs in five metropolitan cities completed a structured questionnaire from September 2014 to January 2015. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multi-response analysis, and the chi-square test.Results:The mean age of the participants was 34.8±15.1 years. IPCPs were found to have weaknesses with regard to the following resources: the assignment of infection control personnel (ICP) (79.5%), hand hygiene resources such as waterless antiseptics (79.3%), the use of paper towels (38.9%), personal protective equipment such as face shields (46.9%), and safety containers for sharps and a separated space for the disposal of infectious waste (10.1%). Likewise, the following activities were found to be inadequately incorporated into the workflow of EMPs: education about infection control (77.5%), post-exposure management (35.9%), and the decontamination of items and spaces after use (88.4%). ICP were found to have a significant effect on the resources and activities of IPCPs (p<0.001). The resources and activities of IPCPs were found to be significantly different among the five cities (p<0.001).Conclusions:IPCPs for EMPs showed some limitations in their resources and activities. IPCPs should be actively supported, and specific IPCP activities for EMPs should be developed.

Descarte de resíduos infectantes: informações demonstradas e ações praticadas por estudantes de enfermagem e medicina

The inappropriate disposal of infectious waste generates occupational and environmental risks, representing the main cause of accidents with biological material. The aim of the present study was to verify the knowledge and the practice regarding the disposal of infectious waste among nursing and medical undergraduate students at a public university in the state of Goias. Data were collected with the application of a questionnaire. The respondent students were observed in their practice and data were recorded in a checklist. Nursing students presented greater knowledge than medical students on the disposal of contaminated gloves (x²; p<0.001), as well as on the disposal of sharp cutting instruments (p=0.001). Contaminated gloves were disposed of into bags for common waste both by the nursing and the medical students. Results evidenced that the knowledge of students on the disposal of infectious waste was poor and insufficient to ensure its application to practice.

Knowledge and Awareness of Routine Biosafety Measures and Proper Waste Disposal Practices among Healthcare Workers in Karachi, Pakistan

This study assessed the knowledge and awareness regarding routine biosafety measures and proper waste disposal practices among healthcare workers in Karachi, Pakistan, and also highlighted areas in which training was needed. To increase knowledge of biosafety and waste disposal requirements, the Virology & Tissue Culture Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Jinnah University for Women, Karachi, Pakistan in association with the Biosafety Association of Pakistan (BSAP) executed a collaborative project entitled “Training Workshop on Proper Waste Disposal from Hospitals & Pathological Laboratories in Karachi, Pakistan,” with financial support from the Biosecurity Engagement Program (BEP), the United States Department of State (DOS), and Civilian Research & Development Foundation (CRDF) for health-related issues in developing countries. A 50-question pre-workshop survey was administered to better understand the current biosafety and biosecurity measures in place at 250 state and private-sector clinical facilities (hospital and pathological laboratories) in the city. Participants from the 250 facilities were selected on the basis of first-come, first-served, but with preference for participants without prior knowledge of biosafety and biosecurity. After the training workshop, an evaluation survey was conducted with 28 participants. Results of that survey indicate that healthcare workers (HCWs) need to be offered training and refresher courses, in Urdu, to increase their level of knowledge and awareness of biosafety and waste disposal protocols to reduce both occupational exposures and the spread of infectious diseases in the community through improper disposal of infectious waste.