Ghulam Mustafa, Mushtaq Ahamd, Hafiz Muhammad Yar Malik.
Knowledge of hospital waste handlers regarding preventive measures.
Pak J Med Health Sci Jan ;6(1):159-63.

Objectives: To determine the knowledge about treatment of hospital waste, to determine the socio-economic status and vaccination status of hospital waste handlers (sanitary workers) in Sheikh Zayed Hospital (SZH), Rahim Yar Khan and to assess the knowledge regarding the preventive measures during hospital waste handling. Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted in Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan in March 2011. 60 study participants (Sanitary Workers) who have given informed verbal consent were included. A pre-designed, pre-tested questionnaire was used to record different variables relevant to the objective of study, such as information on protective measures, segregation of waste, and training on hospital waste handling, its disposal and vaccination status etc. Data was entered tabulated and analyzed. Result: Mean age of the participants was 32.82 years and majority were male (58%), Christian (87%), 42% of subjects were illiterate, 37% had education of primary, 15% had secondary level of education & 5% had education matric and above. 93% of the participants didn’t have any training on hospital waste management. 15% had knowledge of Pathological waste , 63% infectious waste, 82% chemical waste, 62% General waste whereas none of the workers had any knowledge about pharmaceuticals and radioactive type of waste. 17% reported knowledge of hepatitis, 18% hepatitis and tuberculos, 7% transmission of diarrhea. When asked about knowledge of protective measures, 70% subjects have knowledge of both masks and gloves, only 3% have knowledge of all the fours that is masks gloves, gowns and long shoes. 93% have knowledge of waste collection baskets. 68% knowledge of steps of segregation of hospital waste. 62% have knowledge of storage of waste in separate areas in ward. Conclusion: The major problem in proper waste handling is lack of awareness of the workers handling the waste. Our study showed that the waste handlers were mainly non-muslims, majority had no proper training, with low level of knowledge regarding waste types, diseases transmitted, protective measures and steps of waste handling. We suggest that there should be proper training of hospital waste handlers and administration in each hospital should take this issue on priority.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com