Hazardous Healthcare Waste Management Practice and Associated Factors among Healthcare Workers in Healthcare Facilities of Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia, 2024.

Abstract

Background:Healthcare facilities generate various waste types, including hazardous waste, which can be toxic and pose significant risks to human health and the environment if not managed correctly. Although hazardous waste accounts for a small portion of medical waste, it is crucial to manage it properly due to its potential harm. Unfortunately, in many developing countries, including Ethiopia, Hazardous healthcare wastes are often treated and managed the same as ordinary general healthcare wastes, which can lead to contamination of healthcare workers, patients, nearby communities, and the environment.Heals play a crucial role in hazardous waste management, as they are at the front line of handling and managing hazardous healthcare waste. Objective:To assess hazardous waste management practice and its associated Factors among healthcare workers in healthcare facilities of Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia, 2024. Methods:Institutional based cross-sectional study design was conducted. The source population were all health workers in Gondar City from May 20 to Jun 20 April 2024. Data were collected using pretested, structured self-administered questionnaire and observational checklist. EPiDataV. 4.6 software were used for data entry and then exported to SPSS version 26.0 for further analysis.Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were computed to measure the association between work-related stress and independent variables. AOR with 95% CI or P value of < 0.05 was used to declare a statistically significant association. Results: More than half (54.8%) of healthcare workers had good hazardous healthcare waste management practice. Health care workers with a good attitude [AOR = 3.28, 95% CI: (2.03, 5.30)] were 3.2 times more likely to practice.Trained staff were 10.2 times more likely to practice proper HHCW management [(AOR = 10.2, 95% CI (6.13, 17.1]. Cleaners exhibit 2.77 times better practice than doctors [AOR = 2.77. 95% CI (1.26, 6.12)]. Respondents in private facilities were 5.9 times more likely to practice [AOR = 5.94% CI: (3.16, 11.2)]. Workers with 0-5 years of experience were 81% more likely to adhere to good practices [AOR = 0.19. 95% CI (0.08, 0.43)]. Conclusion: Hazardous healthcare waste management practices were low among health care workers posing a risk for the community and the environment. Training, profession and attitude of health care workers were found to have a significant association with hazardous healthcare waste management practices. Targeted training programs should be provided to healthcare staff to effectively address these risks.