Healthcare waste generation, composition and management practice in Dilla university referral hospital: a cross-sectional study

Improper collection, segregation, transportation, treatment, and disposal of healthcare waste pose risk to public health and the environment. This study aimed to determine healthcare waste generation rate, composition, and management practice in Dilla University Referral Hospital. Methods Institutio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sustainable environment 2021-01, Vol.7 (1)
Main Authors: Gebremeskel Kanno, Girum, Negassa, Belay, Tesfaye Mamo, Tizalegne, Areba, Abriham Shiferaw, Lagiso, Zemachu Ashuro, Tsebe, Awash Alembo, Legesse, Miheret Tesfu, Densa, Daniel Abera, Admasu, Mulugeta, Tesfaye, Dagmawit, Sisay, Gizaw, Eshete Soboksa, Negasa, Aregu, Mekonnen Birhanie
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abbreviations
Composition
Content analysis
Cross-sectional studies
Dilla university referral hospital
Hazardous wastes
Health care
health care waste management
Health risks
Health services
Healthcare waste composition
Healthcare waste generation rate
Infectious wastes
Intensive care
Medical wastes
Neonates
Open burning
Public health
Qualitative analysis
Regional development
Southern Ethiopia
Sustainable development
Wastes
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Summary:Improper collection, segregation, transportation, treatment, and disposal of healthcare waste pose risk to public health and the environment. This study aimed to determine healthcare waste generation rate, composition, and management practice in Dilla University Referral Hospital. Methods Institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Dilla University Referral Hospital from May 2019 to June 2019. The quantitative data were collected for eight consecutive days using direct measurement of healthcare waste. The qualitative data were collected by using an observational checklist, and in-depth interview. The collected qualitative data were transcribed, and thematic content analysis was done. A total of 1212.5 kg of healthcare waste was generated in the study period with an average of 151.56 kg (±73.4). The hazardous fraction of the healthcare waste was 581.9 kg (48%) while the generation rate was 0.866 kg bed −1 day −1 . General waste accounted for 630.6 kg (52%) of the total healthcare waste generated in the teaching hospital, followed by infectious waste at 299.5 kg (24.7%). There was no segregation of healthcare waste by type at the point of generation and there was no pre-treatment of infectious wastes. The placenta pit was used for pathological wastes and open burning was the main disposal mechanism for the remaining wastes. The finding indicated that the proportion of the hazardous waste generated from the hospital was above the World Health Organization recommended threshold. There was a lack of appropriate waste segregation, storage, transport, and disposal practices in the referral hospital. Abbreviations: DURH- Dilla University Referral HospitalHCW- Health Care WasteICU- Intensive Care UnitNICU- Neonatal Intensive Care UnitOR- Operation RoomOPD- Out Patient DepartmentSD- Standard DeviationSDG- Sustainable Development GoalsSNNPRS- Southern Nation Nationality and People Regional StateWHO-World Health Organization
ISSN:2765-8511
2765-8511
DOI:10.1080/27658511.2021.1988383