Assessment of Healthcare Waste Generation Rate, Composition and Its Management System in Menellik Ii Referral Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2015-06
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Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
Background: Healthcare facilities provide health service and prevent the public from health risk such as communicable disease. However, hospitals by virtue of handling patients generate hazardous waste which is potentially harmful to the environment if not handled and disposed properly. The amount and type of waste generated from the healthcare facilities is not well documented and managed in Ethiopia. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the health care waste generation rate, composition and its management system in Menellik II referral hospital, Addis Ababa. Methods: An institutional based descriptive cross-sectional study design using both quantitative and qualitative methods was employed to assess the waste generation rate and management system in Menellik II referral hospital in Addis Ababa City. Standard weighing scale was used to quantify the generation rate of healthcare waste for seven days and observational check list for participatory walk through survey. The key informant interview guide also conducted to assess healthcare waste management practice. Data collectors and supervisor were recruited and trained. Data was entered in to Microsoft office excel version 2007 and transported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. Mean generation rates were determined based on important factors, the type of case teams. Patient flow, healthcare waste and its type generation rate among case teams were compared using Kruskal Wallis test and relation of visitors and amount of healthcare waste were determined by Pearson correlation. Results: The mean waste generation rate was found to be 1.94 Kg/bed/day±0.335, comprised of 40.9% general and 59.1% hazardous wastes. The amount of waste generated was significantly increased as the number of patient flow increased (r=0.835, p<0.05). Inpatients generated high proportion of total healthcare wastes than outpatient case teams (t=4.353, p<0.01). The mean waste generation rate was significantly varied among case teams (X2=56.558, p<0.0001). The staff wrong attitude, resistance to wards waste segregation, collection and treatment practice, and lower managerial commitment resulted in poor healthcare waste management system. Conclusions: The mean generation rate in the hospital is comparable to other studies in Ethiopia but higher than Sub Saharan African countries and the management of healthcare waste was poor. The composition of hazardous waste was 1.5 that of general waste (t=2.8, P<0.05) and the generations vary with patient load. The hospital should audit generation of waste to develop and implement effective and efficient waste management systems and conduct periodical surveillance of health care waste management practices.
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Assessment of Healthcare Waste Generation Rate, Composition