Browsing by Author "Okoro, Ezinne Teresina"

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    Medical waste generation, collection and storage practices among primary health centres in Owerri zone, Imo State
    (Federal University of Technology, Owerri, 2023-12) Okoro, Ezinne Teresina
    Medical waste management is to ensure that healthcare facilities are clean and equally to eradicate nosocomial infections. The study aimed to determine medical waste generation, collection and storage practices among Primary Health Centres in Owerri Zone, Imo State. The study employed descriptive cross sectional study, because it examined medical waste generation, collection and storage practices among Primary Health Centres. The survey was designed to use an observation checklist and questionnaires which was administered to 380 participants (nurses, lab technicians, doctors, community health officers, cleaners, environmental health officers) from a sample size of 38 Primary Health Centers. The collected data was entered into computer Software called Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 21.0 and analysed using descriptive statistical analysis. The results were displayed in frequency tables and charts. The association between variables was determined with chi-square statistical test to show that there is a relationship between the location of primary health centers and the type of medical waste generated, significant relationship between knowledge of health workers and waste collection practices, significant relationship between the type of primary health center and medical waste storage. Other findings observed that most 121(31.8%) of the respondents were junior community health officers who had about 6- 12 years work experience. Majority 160 (42.1%) reported facilities had between 6-10 beds with an average of 5-10 bed occupancy in a week. Many facilities 224 (58.9%) do not weigh their waste but in all, general waste (45.0%) was the highest contributor of solid waste stream. More facilities 213 (56.1%) showed that there was no proper collection plan though waste was collected in a variety of receptacles. A fewer facilities 171 (45.0%) practiced waste segregation though poor colour coding was observed. Very many of the respondents 295 (77.6%) reported their facilities had inadequate storage containers and many were without lids. Many of the facilities 224(58.9%) have no specific/designated area for waste storage and 57(36.5%) of the respondents reported open dumping and 55(35.2%)store waste behind buildings. In conclusion, out of the 380 participants, 329 (86.6%) had no knowledge of any policy regarding waste management in their establishment hence, fair knowledge of the risks associated with poor waste handling was observed. There is a need for regular staff training and retraining in medical waste management and the use of personal protective equipment.