An assessment of awareness of medical waste management amongst primary health care workers in Kano State

The outcome of healthcare services is aimed at preventing potential human health risks and environmental hazards as well as improving wellbeing. In the process, however, wastes that are potentially harmful are generated and poor management of these primary healthcare wastes (HCW) exposes the health workers, patients, patient’s visitors, waste handlers and the general public to health risks. The objective of this study is to assess the waste management practices of health workers in Kano Municipal Local Government Area, Kano state. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed to collect data from four selected healthcare facilities. A total of 303 health workers randomly selected served as respondents. A structured questionnaire was administered to health workers to determine their knowledge and practice on healthcare waste management. Whereas non-participatory observation checklist was used to collect data on their current practices as regards to healthcare waste management. Data were analyzed, and presented as descriptive statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 and hypothesis was tested using Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient. In conclusion, management of healthcare wastes (HCW) has become one of the critical concerns in developing countries especially Nigeria. Healthcare waste is dangerous, if handled, treated or disposed of incorrectly can spread diseases, and poison people, livestock, wild animals, plants and ecosystems. Healthcare institutions must utilize the most practical options to achieve acceptable standards and practices for healthcare waste management using available technologies. Measures to improve the Primary Healthcare waste management practices in healthcare facilities in Kano Municipal Local Government and the country at large is to enhance training of all health workers on healthcare waste management. It is recommended that colour coded bag be made available for segregation of clinical waste in all primary healthcare facilities.