KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF WASTE MANAGEMENT AND HEALTH STATUS OF WORKERS AT BOWEN UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, OGBOMOSO, OYO STATE
Abstract
Effective healthcare waste management is critical not only for environmental safety but also for the protection of healthcare workers' health. This study investigated the knowledge and practice of waste management and its effect on the health status of workers at Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso, Oyo State .The study aimed to: assess the level of knowledge of healthcare workers on waste management, To identify the level of practice , identify barriers to effective waste management, To know the effect of waste management on health status of workers and to propose recommendations for improvement. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was adopted. Data were collected using a structured, pre-tested questionnaire administered to a purposive sample of 164 healthcare workers across departments such as nursing, laboratory, pharmacy, health information management and medical services/ Doctor. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics,
including frequency counts, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Findings showed that respondents had a high level of awareness regarding standard waste
management procedures, with a weighted mean score of 4.25 on a 5-point Likert scale. However, practical adherence was slightly lower (mean = 4.11), indicating that knowledge did not always translate into consistent practice. Major challenges identified included inadequate supply of personal protective equipment, poor monitoring, irregular training, and workload pressure. These barriers were significantly linked to reported health issues such as needle-stick injuries, exposure to hazardous materials, and frequent infections among healthcare staff. The study concluded that although healthcare workers are knowledgeable about waste management protocols, systemic and logistical challenges hinder optimal practice. The research recommends the institutionalization of regular training programs, adequate resource provision, strict enforcement of policies, and the establishment of waste management monitoring teams to ensure compliance. Strengthening these areas is crucial to safeguarding worker health and ensuring a hygienic and safe hospital environment.
Full-Text Access Notice
In accordance with the NERD Policy on promoting peer-reviewed publication, public access to the full text of a project, thesis or dissertation is restricted for three years, allowing the author and supervisors sufficient time to pursue peer-reviewed publication.
During this period, researchers with legitimate academic or research purposes may request authorisation directly from the author to enable NERD to release the indexed full texts of the work using the form below.