| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2021 | Volume
: 7
| Issue : 2 | Page : 106-110 |
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Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practices regarding awareness of biomedical waste management among health care professionals in a tertiary care center in Patna: A cross sectional survey
Ranveer Kumar, Richa Sinha
Department of Microbiology, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna, Bihar, India
Correspondence Address:
Richa Sinha
Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Patna - 800 014, Bihar
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.4103/jigims.jigims_3_20
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Background and Objectives: Effective management of biomedical waste (BMW) is of paramount importance to avoid health hazards to care providers. The present study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice of bio-medical waste management among the health care workers (HCWs) at a tertiary care center in North India.
Materials and Methods: We conducted a questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey with closed-ended questions between June 2019 and October 2019.
Results: Among 306 participants, 35% (107) were doctors, 52% (159) were nursing staff, 10% (31), and 3.26% (10) were laboratory technicians and cleaning staff, respectively. While >95% of doctors and nursing staff were aware of the BMW management, biohazard risks, categorization of waste, and personal protective measures, 55% of cleaning staff had not even heard about it. Less than half of the sanitation workers who segregate and transport the BMW were aware about the disinfection process (33%), transmission of HIV (44%), and permanent disposal of BMW (33%).
Conclusion: Disparity in awareness about BMW management exists among HCWs. The sanitation staffs who handle the maximum amount of BMW are the most ignorant. Frequent surveillance and focused teaching sessions may help to improve the knowledge of HCWs and inculcate healthy practice.
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