Volume 5

Number 2, July 2023

Awareness and Practices on Infectious Medical Waste Management among Healthcare Workers Working in Tertiary Level Hospital in Dhaka City

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47648/zhswmcj.2023.v0502.04

Shoara Yasmin1 , Ummay Thamima2 , Sinthea Islam3 , Tawfka Rahman Jishan4 , Farjana Islam5 , Md Golam Abbas6

Abstract

Background: In Bangladesh, incongruous management of medical waste is alarming and seriously endangers the public health. A major health threat as well as environmental issues can result from improper treatment of infectious medical waste. Healthcare workers (HCWs), patients, and the general population all have the potential to develop serious diseases.

Methods: This hospital based cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the level of awareness and practices of infectious medical waste management among HCWs working in Dhaka Medical College Hospital from January 2022 to December 2022.

Results: The mean age of the HCW was 33.5±9.7 years and working experience was 8.4±8.8 years. About two-thirds of the workers (63.7%) had an adequate level of awareness on infectious medical waste management. The HCW’s sex, education, work experiences and workplace were statistically signifcant with their level of awareness (P<0.005). Female HCWs (72.7%) who completed B.Sc. level (88.8%) and worked in the Surgery department (76.1%) for 5-14 years (77.4%) had an adequate level of awareness of infectious medical waste management. Training attended on infectious medical waste management, knowledge on infectious medical waste and knowledge on regulations of infectious medical waste management were statistically signifcant with their level of awareness (P<0.005).

Conclusion: The results of the study will provide relevant information regarding future steps that need to be taken to ensure occupational safety of the healthcare workers handling infectious medical waste, improve their working environment, knowledge and also ensure patient’s safety. The healthcare institutions provided logistics, such as distinct colored bins, and a thorough MWM-related training program for HCWs.

Keywords: Infectious medical waste, Management, Healthcare workers, Dhaka.


  1. MPH Fellow, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health (OEH)

    National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine (NIPSOM), Mohakhali, Dhaka

  2. MPH Fellow, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health (OEH)

    National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine (NIPSOM), Mohakhali, Dhaka

  3. MPH Fellow, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health (OEH)

    National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine (NIPSOM), Mohakhali, Dhaka

  4. MPH Fellow, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health (OEH)

    National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine (NIPSOM), Mohakhali, Dhaka

  5. Medical Offcer, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health (OEH)

    National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine (NIPSOM), Mohakhali, Dhaka

  6. PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health (OEH)

    National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine (NIPSOM), Mohakhali, Dhaka

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Volume 5, Number 2, July 2023
Page: 23-29