HEALTHCARE WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AT BASIC HEALTH UNITS. A STUDY FROM DISTRICT SWABI, KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69723/njms.04.03.0666Keywords:
Primary Health care,, Health care waste management,, biomedical waste managementAbstract
Objectives: To assess the healthcare waste management systems at Basic Health units using a pre-validated Questionnaire check list developed by World Health Organization.
Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in the district Swabi. Overall, 30 Basic health care units were included in the study. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaire. A validated questionnaire by World Health Organization was used to collect data from Incharge Medical Officers of BHUs.
Results: Specific containers for healthcare waste were available in 56.7% of Basic Health Units, while proper containers for infectious waste were present in only 26.7%. Disposable gloves and surgical masks were available in 73.3% and 66.7%, respectively; however, complete personal protective equipment (PPE) was used in only 36.6% of facilities. Compliance with the standard color-coding system for biomedical waste management was observed in just 6.7%. Nearly half of the Primary health care centers (46.7%) lacked designated storage areas for biomedical waste. Pit disposal was the most commonly reported method of healthcare waste disposal, practiced by 73.3% of BHUs.
Conclusion:
The present study showed that majority of healthcare waste management in Swabi is inadequate. Government intervention and policy implementation are urgently needed.
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