ASSESSMENT OF THE AWARENESS AND ATTITUDES OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS TOWARDS HEALTHCARE WASTE MANAGEMENT IN CAMEROON

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Healthcare waste encompasses all types of trash produced at different healthcare facilities, medical research institutions, and medical laboratories. The waste materials referred to here are in the form of solid or semi-solid substances that are produced at healthcare facilities during the diagnosis, review, and treatment of both humans and animals (Askarian et al., 2020). Gajurval (2018) defines healthcare wastes as waste materials generated during the processes of diagnosing, treating, caring for, and vaccinating humans and/or animals, as well as during the conduct of studies or research. Awodele et al. (2019) provided more clarification by stating that hospital wastes can be categorised as general waste and medical waste. According to their assessment, general trash is generated as a result of food manufacturing, office work, sweeping, maintenance tasks, and even landscaping activities. 

Significantly, healthcare waste management (HWM) encompasses the complete cycle of activities, which include the collection, transportation, treatment/processing, and disposal of waste generated in healthcare facilities and research laboratories. Additionally, healthcare waste management is a component of hospital cleanliness and maintenance practices. Since, m come from various sources such as cultures, blood/fluids, sharp objects, surgical procedures, laboratory discards, radioactive materials, and waste from dialysis procedures chemotherapy, autopsy, biopsy, and dialysis injections, among others (Alago¨z & Kocasoy, 2018). The outcome is the production of non-perilous trash (75%–95%) and perilous waste (10%–25%). Nevertheless, even waste that is considered non-hazardous poses a similar level of threat as home waste (Askarian et al., 2018; Sapkota et al., 2018). Oli et al. (2019) included heavy metal trash as a new category of waste produced in healthcare institutions. These metrics are all crucial for healthcare waste management. 

Currently, HWM has emerged as a significant concern for healthcare facilities, nursing home authorities, medical laboratories, and environmentalists. Healthcare waste is a significant challenge for the socio-cultural well-being of humans, as healthcare and illness are integral parts of human society (Akkajit et al., 2020; Mathur et al., 2022). Awodele et al. (2019) argue that the management of waste at health institutions is a crucial concern due to its potential hazards to human health, the environment, and its disruption of social and cultural patterns in society. Therefore, a survey will be conducted in order to  assess the awareness and attitudes of healthcare workers towards healthcare waste management in Cameroon.

Statement of the Problem

In recent times, healthcare waste management (HCWM) has become critical component of public health and environmental protection. Proper management of healthcare waste ensures that hazardous materials, such as sharps, infectious waste, and chemical substances, are handled, treated, and disposed of safely. According to Awodele et al. (2019), segregation/ separation of healthcare waste at the place it is generated is very important in achieving an excellent healthcare waste management practice. Such segregation could be achieved by using labeled containers or colored liners to segregate hazardous waste from non-hazardous waste. Unfortunately, Oli et al. (2020) in their study observed that, the rate at which waste is segregated at the point of its generation is inadequate both in the public and private healthcare facilities. This has also been supported by Leonard et al. (2022) when they posited that in developing countries, the practice of poor segregation of hospital waste is common. Thakur and Sharma (2021) from their study in Pradesh India found that most hospitals do not have adequate method of segregation of waste, marking zones and bags for carrying infectious wastes, adequate means of transporting the waste, effective handling and storage practice. This in effect makes the management of waste in healthcare facilities quite difficult.   

Nevertheless, a lot of  hospitals in Cameroon has been negligent in their management of waste  with no cogent reason why it is difficult to manage healthcare waste in healthcare facilities which is hazardous for the public and the healthcare facilities and envonment. According to Thakur (2022) these include low level of awareness about harms posed by hospital waste, lack of awareness about standard segregation patterns, inadequate training of staff, insufficient fund, lack of protective devices, lack of waste management policies in healthcare facilities, and leaving HWM in the hands of poorly educated and ill-trained workers who perform without proper guidance and adequate protective devices. Existing studies (Akkajit et al., 2020; Awodele et al., 2019 Shinee et al., 2018) usually peruse through effect of healthcare waste on the environment withut looking at raising the awareness of stakeholder on the right strategies to manage healthcare waste. Hence, it is in the light of these that the study seeks to assess the awareness and attitudes of healthcare workers towards healthcare waste management in Cameroon.

 1.3  Objectives of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to assess the awareness and attitudes of healthcare workers towards healthcare waste management in Cameroon. Specifically, the study will;

Evaluate the level of awareness among healthcare workers on the importance of healthcare waste management in Cameroon.

Assess the attitudes of healthcare workers towards healthcare waste management practices and regulations.

Assess the factors influencing healthcare workers' awareness and attitudes regarding healthcare waste management.

1.4  Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study:

What is the level of awareness among healthcare workers about the importance of healthcare waste management in Cameroon?

How do healthcare workers perceive and engage with healthcare waste management practices and regulations in Cameroon?

What factors influence healthcare workers' awareness and attitudes towards healthcare waste management in Cameroon?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

H0: There is no significant relationship between the awareness of healthcare waste management and the attitudes of healthcare workers towards it in Cameroon.

Ha: There is a significant relationship between the awareness of healthcare waste management and the attitudes of healthcare workers towards it in Cameroon.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study findings will help in designing more effective waste management policies and procedures, ensuring that they are aligned with the needs and realities of healthcare workers. Additionally, the study will contribute to better healthcare waste management practices, reducing environmental and health risks associated with improper waste disposal, and promoting a safer and more sustainable healthcare environment in Cameroon. Furthermore, the study will contribute to the improvement of current theoretical frameworks on the incorporation of environmental health practices into healthcare systems and the attitudes of healthcare professionals in supporting efficient waste management.

1.7 Scope of the study   

The scope of this study is boarded on the awareness and attitudes of healthcare workers towards healthcare waste management in Cameroon. Empirically, this study will evaluate the level of awareness among healthcare workers on the importance of healthcare waste management, assess the attitude of healthcare workers towards healthcare waste management practices and regulations, and the factors influencing healthcare workers' awareness and attitudes regarding healthcare waste management.

Geographically, the study will be delimited to some selected health centers in Cameroon.

1.8 Limitation of the study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed. More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other schools, local governments, states, and other countries in the world.

 1.9 Definition of Terms

Healthcare waste management (HCWM): The systematic process of handling, segregating, storing, transporting, treating, and disposing of waste generated by healthcare activities to minimize risks to public health and the environment.

Awareness: The level of knowledge regarding the procedures, regulations, and best practices related to the proper handling, disposal, and management of healthcare waste.

Attitudes: The beliefs, perceptions, and predispositions on  the importance, challenges, and practices of managing healthcare waste effectively.

Healthcare Workers: Individuals involved in the provision of medical services in healthcare settings, including doctors, nurses, and other allied health professionals.

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