Knowledge, attitude and practice about biomedical waste management in laboratory staff in a tertiary care centre in north India: A cross sectional study

Background: Waste generated if not disposed off properly can become a potential health hazard to health care workers, patients, waste handlers, community and to environment by increasing chances of infections, toxicity, polluting environment. A significant amount of hospital waste is generated from the laboratories, hence, the staff needs to be trained properly for the waste handling and management. Objectives: To understand the knowledge, awareness and to assess the practice of BMW management in staff members in Department of Pathology and other associated laboratories in a tertiary health care centre in North India Materials and Methods: This study was a cross-sectional questionnaire based survey. Target population was various consultants, Resident doctors, laboratory technicians and other health care workers in Department of Pathology and other associated laboratories, King George’s Medical University Lucknow. This included 19 consultants, 44 resident doctors, 36 Laboratory technicians, 20 laboratory assistants, 29 laboratory attendants, 18 class IV employees and 6 research students. Knowledge, awareness and practice of BMW management was assessed in them with the help of a predesigned questionnaire. Results: Only 47.67% of staff members were trained on BMW management. None of the class IV employees were trained. Only 55.81% staff was using personnel protective measures like apron and gloves while at work. 94.4 % of class IV employees were not aware of correct colour coding of BMW management. Knowledge about diseases transmitted by improper handling of BMW was minimal amongst Laboratory assistants and class IV employees. Conclusion: Regular training and awareness programmes regarding BMW management should be conducted for all the health care workers in laboratories with special emphasis on technical staff and class IV employees.