Factors Influencing Proper Healthcare Waste Management Practices Among Healthcare Workers in Nigeria
Article Sidebar
Page Numbers:
574-585
Digital Object Identifier:
10.58578/amjsai.v2i3.8022
Viewed: 1.245 times
Downloaded: 150 times
LYAS Publisher cordially invites qualified professionals to serve as Editors or Reviewers. Your expertise will make an important contribution to maintaining and strengthening the academic quality of our publications. Interested applicants are kindly requested to complete the application form at the following link: Editors & Reviewers
Please feel free to contact us if you need any further information about the submission process or if you have any additional questions.
Authors:
Isaac John Umaru1, Solomon Ossom Asare2, Akpan Usenobong Morgan3, Debora Akinola Umogbai4, Emmanuel Eluu Chukwudi5, Inemesit Samuel Essien6, Abimbola Gbenga Olayemi7, Omachi Blessing John8 
Copyright :
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication.
Main Article Content
Abstract
Healthcare waste management (HCWM) is a critical component of public health and environmental safety, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria where improper disposal practices pose significant risks, and compliance among healthcare workers remains inconsistent despite the existence of national guidelines and global protocols. This study aimed to assess the factors influencing proper HCWM practices among healthcare workers in Nigeria, focusing on knowledge, attitudes, institutional support, and policy awareness. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 300 healthcare workers across tertiary and secondary health facilities in Abuja, Lagos, and Kano. Data were collected using structured questionnaires covering demographic information, HCWM knowledge, attitudes, practices, and institutional factors, and were analyzed in SPSS v25 using chi-square tests and logistic regression to identify significant predictors of compliance. Among the respondents, 60% had received formal HCWM training, 70% were aware of HCWM guidelines, and 75% expressed positive attitudes toward waste management; however, only 55% practiced correct waste segregation and 50% reported adequate institutional support. Chi-square analysis revealed significant associations between HCWM training and proper waste segregation (χ² = 12.45, p < 0.01), and between institutional support and PPE usage (χ² = 9.78, p < 0.05). Logistic regression identified HCWM training (OR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.5–3.6) and positive attitude (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2–2.9) as significant predictors of proper HCWM practices. The study concludes that training, institutional support, and attitudes are key determinants of HCWM compliance among healthcare workers in Nigeria, and that bridging the gap between knowledge and practice requires targeted interventions, infrastructure investment, and policy enforcement. Strengthening HCWM systems is essential for reducing occupational hazards, preventing environmental contamination, and promoting sustainable healthcare delivery.
Citation Metrics:
Downloads
Article Details
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
References
Adebayo, A. M., et al. (2016). Knowledge and attitude of HCWM among healthcare workers. Nigerian Medical Journal, 57(4), 194–198.
Adebisi, Y. A., et al. (2021). COVID-19 and HCWM challenges in Nigeria. Annals of Global Health, 87(1), 1–8.
Adegboye, M. A., et al. (2017). Occupational exposure to medical waste in Nigeria. Journal of Occupational Health, 59(3), 234–240.
Akinwale, A. A., et al. (2020). Assessment of healthcare waste management practices in Nigerian hospitals. Environmental Health Insights, 14, 1–10.
Akinyemi, O. O., et al. (2012). HCWM in rural Nigerian health centers. Rural and Remote Health, 12(3), 2235.
Bassey, B. E., Benka-Coker, M. O., & Aluyi, H. S. (2006). Characterization and management of solid medical wastes in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. African Health Sciences, 6(1), 58–63.
Eneh, O. C. (2010). Environmental health implications of HCWM. Journal of Applied Sciences, 10(5), 315–320.
Eze, B. I., Maduka, O., & Nwankwo, T. O. (2018). Healthcare waste management in Nigeria: Challenges and prospects. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice, 21(6), 758–763.
Federal Ministry of Environment. (2013). National Healthcare Waste Management Plan. Abuja, Nigeria.
Ilesanmi, O. S., et al. (2015). Waste segregation practices in Nigerian hospitals. African Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences, 44(2), 123–130.
Iwu, A. C., et al. (2020). HCWM knowledge among Nigerian medical students. Pan African Medical Journal, 35(1), 12.
Kagonya, A. W., et al. (2020). Factors influencing HCWM in Ghanaian hospitals. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(4), 1123.
Nsubuga, F., et al. (2019). Healthcare waste management practices in Uganda. Journal of Environmental Health, 81(6), 24–30.
Ogunyemi, A. O., Adebayo, A. M., & Oloruntoba, E. O. (2021). Institutional factors affecting healthcare waste management in Lagos hospitals. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 15(2), 45–52.
Okechukwu, E. O., Onyenwenyi, A. O., & Nwankwo, C. C. (2019). Waste disposal practices in Nigerian tertiary hospitals. Journal of Community Medicine and Primary Health Care, 31(2), 45–52.
Okezie, C. A., et al. (2009). HCWM in Nigerian primary health care centers. International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 19(6), 421–431.
Okonkwo, I. O., et al. (2008). Microbial risks of poor HCWM. African Journal of Clinical and Experimental Microbiology, 9(2), 78–85.
Olayinka, O. O., et al. (2011). HCWM practices in Nigerian teaching hospitals. African Journal of Biomedical Research, 14(1), 55–60.
Olowoporoku, A. (2020). Attitudinal barriers to HCWM among Nigerian nurses. Health Policy and Planning, 35(3), 345–352.
Olubukola, B. O. (2010). Knowledge and practices of HCWM among Nigerian healthcare workers. African Journal of Environmental Health, 7(1), 23–29.
Oloruntoba, E. O., et al. (2014). Environmental risks of poor HCWM in Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Management, 145, 246–252.
Ugochukwu, C. G., et al. (2013). HCWM policy implementation in Nigeria. Health Policy and Planning, 28(6), 678–686.
World Health Organization. (2014). Safe management of wastes from health-care activities (2nd ed.). Geneva: WHO.
Yusuf, A. M., Ibrahim, M. T., & Lawal, A. M. (2022). Training and compliance in healthcare waste management: A Nigerian perspective. BMC Public Health, 22(1), 112.