Background: Effective management of biomedical waste (BMW) is essential for healthcare workers (HCWs) and the environment. Proper knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) are crucial for the safe handling and disposal of waste. This study assesses the KAP of healthcare workers in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Udhampur, Northern India. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding BMW management among doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, and sanitary staff. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured self-administered questionnaire among 150 HCWs, including doctors, nurses, technicians, and sanitation workers.Results: Knowledge: 70% of doctors, 75% of nurses, and 50% of technicians had a reasonable understanding of BMW management rules. Only 30% of sanitation workers were aware of the regulations. Attitude: 100% of all groups believed that teamwork was essential for BMW management, and 100% agreed that proper disposal prevents infection transmission. However, 87.5% of nurses and 50% of technicians felt that BMW management increased their workload. Practice: Segregation of BMW was inconsistent across groups, with only 50% of doctors, 80% of nurses, and 70% of technicians consistently segregating waste. Alarmingly, only 25% of doctors and 15% of sanitation workers used personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling BMW. Conclusion: There is a need for enhanced training, especially for sanitation staff, to improve both the knowledge and practices related to BMW management. Continuous training and proper monitoring are critical for improving compliance with BMW management protocols.
Impact Factor
2022: 6.012
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