Knowledge, Attitudes/Beliefs and Practices in Medical Waste Management - An Appraisal of Jos North LGA, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Bio-medical waste is defined as wastes that is generated during the diagnosis, treatment or immunization of human beings that are contaminated with patients' body fluids, syringes, needles, ampoules, organs and body parts, placenta, dressings, disposables plastics and microbiological wastes. Medical wastes poses a significant impact on health and environment. Proper waste management strategies ensure health and environmental safety. This study aims is an appraisal of waste management practices in Jos North LGA of Plateau State from a longitudinal study of 70 medical establishments in the LGA. The study reveals a waste-collection system that is sound in principle but with deficiencies because of the declining quality of the waste managers’ service delivery, examining belief systems of stakeholders to determine the effect these have on actual implementation of waste management strategies in Jos North. Questionnaire administration to service providers and other relevant stakeholders and the subsequent analysis as a research instrument revealed knowledge gaps in the user base. The results showed that 50% of the general waste produce is non-infectious, majority of the waste is not segregated. The study also shows that most of the sampled facilities do not segregate their waste, nor use protective clothing such as gloves during waste handling. The study also shows majority of the medical facilities dispose of their waste on daily basis and have monthly and yearly record of their financial lending on waste management ranging from N20, 000, 00 to N100, 000, 00. Appropriate suggestions are made in order to curtail the risks of infection as result of improper disposal of medical waste in all medical establishments in Nigeria.