Browsing by Author "Akingbehin, S. A."

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    Color coding of solid health care waste in Lagos, Southwestern Nigeria
    (U. P., 2019) Akingbehin, S. A.; Amadi, C. O. A.; Iro, O. K.; Azuamah, Y. C.; Amadi, A. N.
    Color coding ensures identification of the hazards associated with the type of health care waste that is handled or treated. The objective of this study was to investigate the compliance of health care facilities in Lagos, Southwestern Nigeria to the color coding system of waste segregation. A harmonized checklist and a well-structured questionnaire were used to obtain data from the health care facilities and their workers. A total of 507 workers in 16 health care facilities were interviewed in this study. Results showed that for the color identification of sharps, 472 (93.10%) respondents said black; brown was 26 (5.13%); yellow, 10 (1.97%). For pathological wastes, black was 470 (92.70%); brown, 28 (5.52%); yellow, 6 (1.18%). For radioactive wastes, black was 475 (93.69%); brown, 5 (0.99%); yellow, 35 (6.90%). For chemical wastes, black was 483 (95.27%); brown, 20 (3.94%); yellow, 5 (0.99%). For infectious wastes, black was 461 (90.93%); brown, 32 (6.31%); yellow, 15 (2.96%). For pharmaceutical wastes, black was 467 (92.11%); brown, 36 (7.10%); yellow, 10 (1.97%). In conclusion, the health care facilities in Lagos did not adhere to the proper color coding for segregation of solid health care waste. It was recommended that awareness programs be organized for health care workers so that they will be familiar with the color coding system and abide by it.