Healthcare Waste Management Practices in Public Health Facilities in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Abstract

Abstract Background Proper healthcare waste management (HCWM) involves the accurate categorization and segregation of waste by healthcare waste (HCW) producers in correct color-coded bins. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hazardous waste affects 10-25% of HCWs and can have many health risks for healthcare providers, patients, and the general public. Many health facilities have poor waste-segregation techniques, causing up to 50% of garbage to be infectious. Methodology This study utilizeda descriptive cross-sectional research design. The study utilized self-administered questionnaires to obtain quantitative data from health care workers in four main departments, namely, pharmacy, laboratory, clinical and support staff, in the public health facilities in Nairobi County. Results The study conducted in Nairobi County found that the majority of staff in public health facilities were female (61.6%), primarily from the nursing cadre (28.1%), and most had worked for 1-10 years (58.3%). The quantity of general waste generated was high (46.0%), and the majority of facilities (93.8%) had all the necessary bins for waste segregation, including red, yellow, black bins, and sharp boxes (89.3%). The overall rating of healthcare waste management practices, including waste segregation, collection, transportation, storage, and treatment, was considered satisfactory (33%). The respondents demonstrated adequate knowledge of waste management practices (80.0%), but a significant number were unaware of the guidelines and policies governing healthcare waste management (74.6%). There was limited access to the guidelines (36.6%), and the guideline most accessed was the Kenya National Infectious Prevention Control (IPC) Policy and Guidelines 2021 (28.6%). HCWM was included in the annual work plan for the majority of facilities (56.3%), although awareness of budgetary allocation (41.2%) and waste disposal costs (40.6%) was relatively low. While there was a person responsible for waste handling (64.3%), most of them (80%) were not qualified waste handlers. Conclusion Health centers (Level 3) generate the highest quantities of general waste. The healthcare workers demonstrated adequate knowledge of waste management practices, and the practices were satisfactory.