Knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding hospital waste management in primary health care
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70577/kqgbfn93Keywords:
biosafety; health knowledge, attitudes, practice; health personnel; medical waste management; primary health care.Abstract
Introduction: Proper management of hospital waste is essential for ensuring healthcare safety; the opposite can lead to biological, chemical, and environmental risks that affect healthcare personnel, patients, and the community. At the primary care level, safe segregation, storage, and disposal depend on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the healthcare team. Objective: To assess healthcare personnel's level of knowledge regarding hospital waste management through a validated survey, in order to improve clinical and safety practice. Methods: A quantitative, descriptive-correlational, non-experimental, field-based, cross-sectional study was conducted. Twenty-five workers were selected through non-probability convenience sampling. An adapted questionnaire covered sociodemographic, institutional, attitudinal, knowledge, and practice components. Data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages; the attitude scale obtained a Cronbach's alpha of 0.647. Results: Of the participants, 76% were female, 64% were between 30 and 40 years old, and 60% were medical personnel. All respondents (100%) considered the use of personal protective equipment essential, and 92% recognized the importance of training and reporting sharps-related accidents. The institution has a manual, a plan, and a waste management team in place. Knowledge was high in 13 of the 14 items assessed; the main gap was related to the disposal of expired medications. Conclusion: Personnel showed consolidated knowledge, favorable attitudes, and predominantly adequate practices. Nevertheless, training on pharmaceutical waste should be reinforced and institutional supervision should be maintained to ensure safe, consistent compliance with biosafety procedures and reduce occupational and environmental risks in routine primary care services.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Sotomayor Preciado Anita Maggie , Ramírez Sánchez Marlene Madeleyne , Barzallo Valladares Bryan Johel , Calva Toledo Kristhell Daniela , Genovez Sánchez José Daniel , Marquez Sánchez Maria Gisella , Morocho Márquez Brithanny Jorlene , Rubio Ontaneda Paulina Abigail (Autor/a)
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