Impact of Training on Awareness of Bio-medical Waste Management among Paramedical Workers of a Tertiary Care Hospital, Meerut

Background: The waste produced in the course of healthcare activities carries a higher potential for infection and injury than any other type of waste. Inadequate and inappropriate knowledge of handling of healthcare waste may have serious health consequences and a significant impact on the environment as well. It is estimated that 10-25% of health care waste is hazardous, with potential for creating variety of health problems. As per implementation of Bio- medical waste management and handling rules 1998, every health workers is expected to have proper knowledge, attitude and practices which can be improved with trainings.

Objectives: (1) To assess the knowledge and awareness of paramedical workers regarding hospital waste management. (2) To assess the impact of educational intervention on the knowledge of paramedical workers regarding Bio-medical waste management.

Methodology: A cross sectional interventional study was conducted among 100 paramedical workers of tertiary care hospital of Meerut from 1st October to 31st December 2011 by using a pre-tested structured questionnaire to detect the level of awareness regarding Biomedical waste management . Data was compared pre and post intervention (Educational training), by paired t-test, considering p<0.05 to be significant.

Results: Among study subjects, 67% were males and 33% were females health workers. This study indicates that baseline knowledge and awareness regarding Bio- Medical Waste Management among the paramedical workers in Tertiary Care Hospital, Meerut UP was quite poor (34.78%). Overall positive change (43.78%) was found in knowledge and awareness of paramedical workers after training. There was 43.78% increase in knowledge about bio-medical waste management before and after educational intervention which was statistically highly significant (p<0.0001)

Conclusion: Knowledge and awareness regarding Bio-medical waste management among paramedical workers was poor. Educational intervention was effective in improving knowledge and awareness regarding Biomedical waste management among paramedical workers.