FACTORS INFLUENCING POOR HEALTH WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICE AMONG NURSES IN SPECIALIST HOSPITAL YOLA
- Project Research
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- NGN 3000
Background to the Study
Poor health waste management practice among nurses is a significant issue that can have serious consequences for both the healthcare workers and the environment. Several factors have been identified as influencing this problem. One of the key factors is the lack of awareness and knowledge among nurses regarding proper waste management practices. Many nurses may not be fully aware of the potential risks associated with improper waste disposal and may not have received adequate training on how to handle and dispose of healthcare waste safely. The high workload and time constraints faced by nurses can also impact their ability to properly manage health waste. Nurses often have demanding schedules and may not have enough time to dedicate to waste management tasks. This can result in rushed and inadequate waste disposal practices.
Healthcare waste threatens the public health due to its contagious nature. Most healthcare facilities are located in the heart of the cities and therefore, healthcare waste that are not correctly managed can cause dangerous infection and pose potential threat to the nearby environment, nurses, patients and to the public (WHO, 2014). Dehghani, Azam, Changani and Fard (2008) noted that Healthcare Waste (HCW) if not appropriately managed can be a serious threat to human health due to their infectious attributes. Nigeria, one of developing countries, has health issues that are competing for limited resources; it is not amazing that healthcare waste management receives less attention and precedence than it merits (Stephen, & Elijah, 2011). Therefore, there is a serious challenge in developing countries, where there are no Institutional provisions for healthcare waste management. Clinical wastes are disposed openly in the dumpsite along with municipal waste and the practice make the members of the community gain access to it which may lead to outbreak of infectious diseases (Alagoz, Kocasay, Abah, & Ohimain, 2010) . Cheng, Sung, Yang, Lo, Chung and Li (2009) noted that as small as healthcare waste is in proportion to the total community waste, its management is considered an important issue worldwide. World Health Organization (2014) reported that 15% of total waste generated in the healthcare facility is hazardous and must be properly segregated at the point of generation to prevent the whole healthcare waste becoming 100% hazardous. The World Health Organization estimates that each year there are about 8 to 16 million new cases of Hepatitis B virus (HBV), 2.3 to 4.7 million cases of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and 80,000 to 160,000 cases of human immune deficiency virus (HIV) due to unsafe injections disposal and mostly due to very poor waste management systems.
Across the globe, the risk associated with Healthcare Waste (HCW) and its management has gained tremendous attention from health practitioners and non practitioners. If healthcare facilities know the types and quantities of clinical waste generated, it will help them in planning, budgeting adequate revenue for the management of hazardous waste (Bongayi, 2013). A study conducted by Olubukola (2009) in two General hospitals at Lagos reported that due to lack of quantification of healthcare waste, there was no waste reduction plan in the hospitals.
This lack of plan for healthcare waste management eventually leads to inadequate waste segregation at point of use, collection, storage and final disposal. This poor healthcare waste management practice creates health hazards for nurses, patients and the environment. Identified gaps like lack of colour code bags for segregation of healthcare waste at point of use, lack of guidelines on segregation and disposal for nurses lead to poor healthcare waste management in hospitals. The mismanagement of healthcare waste by healthcare facilities does not pose health hazard to nurses and patients alone but also to patients’ visitors and the community where they are improperly disposed by contaminating the soil, air and water. Healthcare facilities are supposed to protect the health of people in their environment, not to be a creator of potential health hazard for them.
Furthermore, increase in patient turned-out has increase the generation of healthcare waste. Mboguwe, Mimereki and Magashula(2008) also reported that increase in population results to increase in healthcare facilities that lead to increased healthcare waste generation. It is expected that because of this increase, more attention should be paid to and priority given to proper healthcare waste management in Specialist Hospital Yola. Management of healthcare waste continues to present an array of challenges especially as economic situation of the country deepen daily therefore, healthcare waste management has become a concern.
So many studies have been conducted on healthcare waste management but little or no work has been done concerning segregation of clinical waste which is a vital aspect in healthcare waste management (Coker, Sangodoyin, Sridhar, Booth, Olomolaiye, 2009). Segregation of waste is crucial in healthcare waste management because it is the first step in clinical waste management. Segregation of healthcare waste helps in reduction of the quantity of waste that is hazardous. Once healthcare waste are segregated, collection will be easy, proper storage will be done and disposal of infectious waste carried out in the way that it will not pose any harm to nurses, patients and the environment (WHO, 2014). Proper management of healthcare waste depends on good organization, sufficient funding and active participation of trained personnel. It was observed that healthcare facilities were not spending resources on clinical waste management Healthcare facility must allocate resources for colour coded bags and training of generator of healthcare waste for proper segregation and disposal for its sustainability. The intention of this study is to assess healthcare waste management practices at health facilities in Adamawa Local Government.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
The improper management of health waste has become a significant concern in healthcare facilities worldwide. In Specialist Hospital Yola, nurses play a crucial role in ensuring the proper disposal of health waste. However, there seems to be a persistent issue of poor health waste management practice among nurses in this hospital. This problem not only poses a threat to the environment but also puts the health and safety of both healthcare workers and patients at risk.
One of the factors contributing to this problem is the lack of awareness and knowledge among nurses regarding proper health waste management practices. Many nurses may not be adequately trained on the appropriate segregation, handling, and disposal of different types of health waste. This lack of knowledge can lead to improper waste management practices, such as mixing hazardous and non-hazardous waste or failing to use personal protective equipment.
Another factor influencing poor health waste management practice among nurses is the lack of sufficient resources and infrastructure. Specialist Hospital Yola may not have the necessary waste management equipment, such as color-coded bins, sharps containers, or incinerators, to facilitate proper waste disposal. Additionally, there may be a shortage of waste management personnel or inadequate training programs to educate nurses on the use of available resources.
Furthermore, the organizational culture within the hospital may also contribute to the problem. If there is a lack of emphasis on the importance of proper health waste management or if there are no clear policies and guidelines in place, nurses may not prioritize this aspect of their work. The absence of a supportive and accountable culture can lead to complacency and negligence in waste management practices.
Additionally, the lack of monitoring and supervision may contribute to poor health waste management practice among nurses. If there is no regular inspection or feedback system in place, nurses may not feel accountable for their waste management practices. This lack of oversight can result in inconsistent adherence to proper waste disposal protocols and a disregard for the potential consequences of improper waste management.
Lastly, the limited availability of training and educational programs on health waste management may hinder nurses’ ability to improve their practices. If there are no opportunities for continuous professional development in this area, nurses may not have access to updated information and best practices. This lack of training can perpetuate poor health waste management practices and hinder the implementation of effective waste management strategies.
The factors influencing poor health waste management practice among nurses in Specialist Hospital Yola include the lack of awareness and knowledge, insufficient resources and infrastructure, organizational culture, lack of monitoring and supervision, and limited availability of training programs. Addressing these factors is crucial to ensure the proper management of health waste and promote a safe and healthy environment for both healthcare workers and patients.
1.3 Objective of the Study
The main objective of this study is to assess the waste management practices of nurses in four healthcare facilities in Adamawa Local Government Area of Yola State. The specific objectives are to:
- Find out the factors responsible for poor health waste management practice among nurses in Specialist Hospital Yola.
- determine the level of knowledge of nurses on Healthcare waste management and its segregation.
- assess the healthcare waste management as practiced by nurses.
- determine how healthcare wastes are finally disposed off, by the healthcare facilities in Specialist Hospital Yola.
1.4 Research Questions
- What are the factors responsible for poor health waste management practice among nurses?
- What is the level of knowledge of nurses on healthcare waste management?
- What is the practice of healthcare waste management by nurses?
- What is the final disposal of healthcare waste practiced by healthcare workers in Specialist Hospital Yola?
1.5 Hypothesis
Ho1: There is no significant relationship between knowledge and practice of respondents on Healthcare waste management in Specialist Hospital Yola.
1.7 Significance of the study
Conducting a research on the topic “factors influencing poor health waste management practice among nurses in specialist hospital yola” will be significant in the following ways:
1. Improved Healthcare Infrastructure: Research on factors influencing poor health waste management practice among nurses in Specialist Hospital Yola can shed light on existing gaps in healthcare infrastructure. Understanding these factors can lead to the implementation of better waste management systems, ensuring a safer environment for both healthcare workers and patients.
2. Enhanced Occupational Health and Safety: Investigating this topic can contribute to enhancing occupational health and safety protocols for nurses. By identifying factors that influence poor waste management practices, healthcare institutions can implement targeted training programs and provide necessary resources to ensure nurses' well-being while handling medical waste.
3. Prevention of Infectious Diseases: Proper waste management is crucial for preventing the spread of infectious diseases in healthcare settings. Research in this area can identify specific challenges faced by nurses in Specialist Hospital Yola, allowing for tailored interventions to minimize the risk of infections associated with improper waste disposal practices.
4. Cost Reduction and Resource Optimization: Inefficient waste management practices can lead to unnecessary costs for healthcare facilities. Researching the factors contributing to poor waste management among nurses can highlight areas for improvement, leading to cost reductions through better resource allocation and waste minimization strategies.
5. Environmental Protection: Medical waste poses significant environmental hazards if not managed properly. Conducting research on this topic can raise awareness of the environmental impact of poor waste management practices among nurses. Findings from the research can inform the development of sustainable waste management solutions that minimize adverse effects on the environment.
1.6 Scope of the Study
The study examines factors influencing poor health waste management practice among nurses in Specialist Hospital Yola, determine the level of knowledge of nurses on Healthcare waste management and its segregation, assess the healthcare waste management as practiced by nurses, and determine how healthcare wastes are finally disposed off, by the healthcare facilities in Specialist Hospital Yola. One tertiary Healthcare facility, one secondary Healthcare facility and two primary Healthcare facilities in Adamawa Local Government were used.
1.8 Limitations of the study
Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint are:
Time: The researcher encountered time constraint as the researcher had to carry out this research along side other academic activities such as attending lectures and other educational activities required of her.
Finance: The researcher incurred more financial expenses in carrying out this study such as typesetting, printing, sourcing for relevant materials, literature, or information and in the data collection process.
Availability of Materials: The researcher encountered challenges in sourcing for literature in this study. The scarcity of literature on the subject due to the nature of the discourse was a limitation to this study.
1.9 Definition of Terms
1. Factors: These are conditions, circumstances, or variables that contribute to a particular outcome or phenomenon. In the context of this topic, factors refer to the various elements that influence poor health waste management practices among nurses in Specialist Hospital Yola.
2. Poor Health Waste Management: This term pertains to the inadequate or ineffective handling, disposal, and management of medical waste within healthcare facilities. It encompasses practices that may lead to environmental pollution, public health risks, and occupational hazards.
3. Nurses: In this context, nurses refer to healthcare professionals who are trained and licensed to provide medical care, including but not limited to patient care, treatment administration, and health education within the Specialist Hospital Yola.
4. Waste Management Practice: This term encompasses the methods, protocols, and procedures employed in the collection, segregation, storage, transportation, treatment, and disposal of various types of waste generated within healthcare settings, with a specific focus on medical waste in this context.
5. Health: Health refers to a state of physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. It encompasses the overall condition of an individual's body and mind, which can be influenced by various environmental and occupational factors, including waste management practices.
6. Occupational Health Hazards: These are potential risks, dangers, or threats to the well-being and safety of workers in their workplace environments. Occupational health hazards related to poor health waste management among nurses may include exposure to infectious agents, sharps injuries, chemical hazards, and ergonomic issues.
7. Environmental Pollution: Environmental pollution refers to the contamination or degradation of natural resources, ecosystems, and the environment as a whole due to the release of harmful substances or pollutants. Improper health waste management practices can contribute to environmental pollution through the release of hazardous chemicals, pathogens, and other pollutants into the environment.
8. Hazardous Waste: Hazardous waste comprises materials that pose a substantial threat to human health and the environment due to their chemical, biological, or physical characteristics. Within healthcare settings, hazardous waste includes but is not limited to infectious waste, pharmaceutical waste, and chemical waste generated during medical procedures and treatment.
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