Effectiveness of Training in Improving Bio Medical Waste handling Practices: A Comparative Study on Knowledge, Attitude and Practices among Interns in a Teaching Hospital, Adilabad, Telangana

Abstract

Background: India generates approximately 2 kg/bed day of biomedical waste (BMW). It encompasses several kinds of wastes such as anatomical, cytotoxic and treatment apparatus etc. Inadequate segregation of this BMW could cause deadly infectious diseases such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B and C, environmental disruption and ecological imbalance. Teaching institutes play a critical role in BMW management as they train future health care professionals and care giving personnel. So there is very much need for awareness among the administrators, doctors, nurses and paramedical staff. Hence this study was taken to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices among interns and to improve the practices of bio medical waste management. Methods: This was a cross sectional comparative study conducted among 100 interns working in Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Adilabad, Telangana during the period of June to October 2018. They were subjected to training sessions regarding the biomedical waste management. The study tool was a semi structured questionnaire which was administered to the participants before and after training session and the observations were noted using a checklist. Proportion of participants who answered correctly was measured. Chi square test was used to assess the statistical significance. Results: There was significant improvement in the scores of the participants after training session regarding all of the areas i.e. knowledge, attitude and practicing methods for biomedical waste management. The difference in the score was statistically significant. Conclusion: Every employee working in a hospital should be trained for biomedical waste handling and management rules. Lack of proper knowledge about bio medical waste management leads to inappropriate waste disposal and improper infection control in the healthcare center.