Background: Safe environment is the basic need of healthy life. Health care workers are at highest risk of obtaining infection from their professional environment. This risk can be reduced by giving adequate knowledge regarding biomedical waste (BMW) management.
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the level of knowledge, awareness, attitude, and practice about effective BMW management among laboratory technicians, staff nurses, and student nurses of a tertiary care setting of North India.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in 134 paramedical staff of different departments of a tertiary care center. The study population included 64 nursing staff, 32 laboratory technicians, and 38 student nurses. A questionnaire containing 30 questions was given to them for filling. The questions were regarding knowledge, awareness, attitude, and practice about BMW management. One mark was given for each right answer. Percentage of right answers was calculated for each section and every category.
Results: Among all health care personnels, 62.5% of laboratory technicians had high level of knowledge and awareness, while among staff nurses and student nurses this percentage was 75% and 57.9%, respectively. Attitude toward BMW management was favorable among 68.75% of laboratory technicians, 81.25% of staff nurses, and 78.95% of student nurses. Among all candidates, 56.25% of laboratory technicians, 81.25% of staff nurses, and 52.63% of student nurses were practicing at good level according to guidelines.
Conclusion: Of all health-care professional, staff nurses had highest level of knowledge, awareness, favorable attitude, and practice toward BMW management. Regular training sessions regarding separation, storage, transportation, and disposal of BMW should be conducted by administration.
Key words: Knowledge; Awareness; Attitude; Practice; Biomedical Waste; Health Care Workers
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