Abstract:
Background. Healthcare activities restore health and save lives at the same time; however, they can generate hazardous biomedical
wastes to a human being or the environment. Generation and disposal of biomedical wastes have become an emerging problem
worldwide. Objective. To assess knowledge, attitude, and practice about biomedical waste management and associated factors
among healthcare professionals in Debre Markos town healthcare facilities, northwest Ethiopia. Methods. A cross-sectional study
was employed, and data were collected through structured self-administered questionnaire and observational checklist. Data were
entered into the Epi-data 3.1 software and exported into SPSS version 20 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression
analyses were computed. Variables with a P value of <0.05 in the multivariate logistic regression analysis were considered to
explain the presence of statistically significant associations. Result. Among 296 healthcare professionals studied, 168 (56.8%), 196
(66.2%), and 229 (77.4%) had adequate knowledge, favorable attitude, and adequate practice score, respectively. Regarding
associated factors, MSc and MD+ (AOR: 4, 95% CI: (1.37, 149.52)), BSc holders (AOR: 2.53, 95% CI: (1.47, 4.38)), and availability
of color-coded bins (AOR: 7.68, 95% CI: (3.30, 17.89)) were identified more likely to contribute for adequate knowledge, favorable
attitude, and adequate practice scores, respectively. Conclusion. -e level of knowledge, attitude, and practice scores were not
satisfactory. Majority of the healthcare professionals did not access biomedical waste management training. Educational level, use
of visual aid, and availability of color-coded bins in the department were identified as a factor for biomedical waste management.
Regular training should be given to healthcare professionals.
