Healthcare waste management knowledge, attitudes and practices of laboratory workers at a regional hospital, Lesotho
African Journal of Laboratory Medicine
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Healthcare waste management knowledge, attitudes and practices of laboratory workers at a regional hospital, Lesotho | |
| Creator | Siimane, Ts’aletseng M. Nts’ihlele, Motlatsi E. | |
| Description | Background: Safe management of healthcare waste (HW) safeguards laboratory biosafety and biosecurity. Knowledge and attitudes influence HW practices, presenting a need for evidence of the current status.Objective: This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and practice of laboratory workers towards waste management at a regional hospital laboratory in Lesotho.Methods: The study was conducted from March 2023 to June 2023 using a mixed-methods descriptive case study design. The entire population (n = 30) of technical and non-technical laboratory workers and generated waste were sampled. A structured questionnaire and an observational checklist were used to collect data. Waste generation was assessed by weighing and measuring waste volumes. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics.Results: All respondents (26/26; 100%) can define HW and (3/3) laboratory assistants (100%) gave correct responses for three questions, namely: risk associated with HW, waste container colour-coding, and disposal requirements. Knowledge on waste management responsibilities ranged between 0% (0/4) for cleaners and 54.5% (6/11) among laboratory technicians. Attitudes were mainly positive, and practices conformed in part to standard operating procedures. Infectious solid waste comprised 77% of solid HW, while 63% of chemical liquid waste emanated from the full blood count area.Conclusion: Knowledge exists among workers and attitudes are predominantly positive; however, some unsafe practices continue, thus knowledge is not fully translated to safe practices. Regular training and measuring and recording of HW were recommended.What this study adds: The study contributes understanding of the status of HW knowledge, attitudes and management practices, highlighting the need for compliance monitoring. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2024-12-06 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/ajlm.v13i1.2485 | |
| Source | African Journal of Laboratory Medicine; Vol 13, No 1 (2024); 8 pages 2225-2010 2225-2002 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://ajlmonline.org/index.php/ajlm/article/view/2485/3028
https://ajlmonline.org/index.php/ajlm/article/view/2485/3029
https://ajlmonline.org/index.php/ajlm/article/view/2485/3030
https://ajlmonline.org/index.php/ajlm/article/view/2485/3031
|
|
ADVERTISEMENT
