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The management of medical waste is a vital phenomenon because of its outcome that
may harm the public health and the environment. This study aims to assess medical
waste management practices among health workers as the way to reduce nosocomial
infections in Tanzania hospitals. The study was conducted at Bukombe District
Council hospital (BDCH).
The data collections were done using questionnaires, observation and review of the
documents.
The findings revealed that: most of the health workers at Bukombe District Council
Hospital (BDCH) have little knowledge of proper medical waste management
practices. The results show 87 (65%) of the respondents acknowledged that health
workers do not properly implement medical waste management practices. Instead
the hospital uses a private company in medical waste management, laundry and
cleaning services at hospital surroundings. In addition, 89 (66%) of respondents
declared that no any training in medical waste management practices was conducted
by health staff. Majority of respondents, 125(93%) declared that they did not have an
access to governing law, policies, and guidelines for medical waste management
practices. It was noted that no initiative had been in place for the dissemination of
the laws, policies and guidelines pertaining to MWM practices at BDCH. This is
evidence by 92.5%(124) who reported that the governing laws, policies and
guidelines for Health Care Waste Management are neither disseminated nor in use by
health staff at Bukombe District Council hospital.
In concluding the results indicate that medical waste management practices at BDCH
are not properly implemented. The possible cause is inadequate knowledge on
MWM among health workers. The study recommends instituting more training,
seminars and workshops to health staff cadres to equip them with the governing
laws, policies and guidelines for MWM practices. |
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