Explore –Journal of Research
Peer Reviewed Journal
ISSN 2278–0297 (Print)
ISSN 2278–6414 (Online)
Vol. XVII, 2024
© Patna Women’s College, Patna, India
Bio-Medical Waste Management: Knowledge and Practice among Health Care Workers
•Nisha Kumari • Aliya Khanam • Huzaifa Parwez
Received : December, 2023
Accepted : January, 2024
Corresponding Author : Nisha Kumari
Abstract : Biomedical waste (BMW) is a by-product of every healthcare facility, and improper disposal can pose risks to both health and the environment. The safe and scientific management of biomedical waste involves crucial steps such as handling, segregation, mutilation, disinfection, storage, transportation, and final disposal. To evaluate Bio-Medical Waste Management (BMWM) practices and knowledge in hospitals, a cross-sectional study was conducted in four selected hospitals in Patna, by using survey method.
The analysis encompassed descriptive and inferential statistics methods, including tabulation and frequency distribution. The evaluation of the correlation between knowledge and practice levels among healthcare workers employed the Pearson correlation coefficient formula. Furthermore, the chi-square formula was applied to explore potential associations between the knowledge and practice of healthcare workers and various selected demographic
variables. The survey found that 15% of paramedical workers had adequate knowledge, 34% demonstrated moderate understanding, and 51 % had inadequate knowledge in biomedical waste management. In the 25-31 age groups, 65% of 161 respondents exhibit a “Moderate” practice level in biomedical waste management, with females dominating across all age groups. Analysis of data reveals a positive correlation (r=0.2383) between the knowledge and practice levels of healthcare workers. Healthcare workers in biomedical waste management show a significant correlation between knowledge and age, occupation, education, and experience. Examining healthcare workers in biomedical waste management reveals a noteworthy correlation between practice and sex, occupation, education, and experience, with calculated values surpassing the table values.
Keywords: Biomedical waste, Biomedical Waste management, Healthcare workers, Knowledge, Practice
Nisha Kumari
Assistant Professor, Department of Home Science, Patna Women’s College (Autonomous),
Bailey Road, Patna-800 001, Bihar, India E-mail:nisharoshan4195@gmail.com
Aliya Khanam
B.A. Ill year, Home Science (Hons.),Session:2021-2024, Patna Women’s College (Autonomous),
Patna University, Patna, Bihar, India
Huzaifa Parwez
B.A. Ill year, Home Science (Hons.), Session:2021-2024, Patna Women’s College (Autonomous),
Patna University, Patna, Bihar, India
Introduction:
Biomedical waste management holds a crucial role within the medical microbiology and infection control programs of healthcare institutions. The word ‘Biomedical Waste’ is any waste that is produced during analysis, treatment or vaccination of human beings or animals, or in the study activities applied to or in the invention or testing of biological and covers the classes mentioned in schedule- 1 of govt. of India rules 1998 (Acharya et.al., 2000). Biomedical waste management rules were introduced in 1998, requiring all healthcare professionals to possess knowledge, practice and the ability to guide others in waste collection, management, and proper handling techniques.The Bio-Medical Waste
