Assessment of Medical Waste Disposal Program in Governmental Hospitals in Khartoum locality , Khartoum State, Sudan- ( 2020)

الملخص

Medical waste management is great importance due to its infectious and
hazardous nature that can cause undesirable effects on humans and the
environment health. The objective of this study aimed to assess of medical
waste( MW) disposal program in Governmental Hospitals at Khartoum locality -
Khartoum State Sudan- (2020)
A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 19 governmental hospitals.
Data were collected using a standardized checklist, interviews with facility
managers, and direct observation. Data were analyzed using the Statistical
Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Both descriptive and
inferential statistics were applied. The chi-square test was used to assess
associations between variables, and a p-value of <0.05 was considered
statistically significant.
In regards to the current practices, results revealed that, hospitals have a specific
program for collection and transportation ( MW ) to store room in and the bags
and packages filled up to two thirds of the size in (13)hospitals (68.4%)
respectively . The segregation of medical wastes according to color coded
system is not conducted according to (WHO) standards, waste not remained in
its generated site more than one day only in ( 6 ) hospitals recorded (31.6%) ,
bags and packages are labeled in a number at (10) hospitals with percentage
(52.6%), replace of new bag or packages instead of transported ones
immediately in a number of (14) hospitals (73.7%), the place of store (MW) is
separated from the hospital departments and places of storing domestic waste
(DW) is found in (12 ) hospitals revealed (63.2%), the way of storing is
adequate only in (2) hospitals , there are weighing device and recording for generated amount and the general cleanness for the store room was good was
(10.5%) in a row . There are no specified panel truck for transportation of (
MW) and have a temporary licensing from environmental health department.
(100%) of hospitals sends the (MW) to the recommended final dump , liquids
waste drained directly to sewer net and the liquid waste drained to sewer net not
after disinfection also respectively.
The overall amount of (MW) that sends in each time in the studied hospitals was
found to be ( 215.2±18.7 kg ) with frequency of sending (MW) per week (
2.7±0.3 times ). The most shortcomings and weakness points of medical waste
in hospitals were mixing between (DW) and (MW) was (52.6%), no labeling on
(MW) bags is (15.8%), the store room not according to specifications was
(10.5%) and (MW) workers not using personal protective equipment (PPE ) in
regularly. Finally These findings indicate significant correlation gaps in
compliance with WHO guidelines for medical waste disposal and treatment ( Pvalue
= 0.03).