Hospital solid waste management practices in eastern region of Ghana

Abstract

The study examined hospital solid waste management practices the Eastern Region of Ghana. A total of 320 hospital staff from six selected hospitals were randomly selected for the study with 279 returned responses for the questionnaire used. Interviews were conducted among 15 purposively selected staff from the six selected hospitals, the private waste collecting company, the Municipal Assembly and the Environmental Protection Agency. SPSS Version 20 was used to analysed questionnaires. Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-square and Spearman correlation were used to test for difference and relationships. The results showed that hospitals do not keep records on the quantity of waste generated. Waste separation practices were poor at all the hospitals except at Koforidua laboratory unit where proper separation was done. The main waste treatment methods used by the hospitals were incineration and bio-digestion. Disposal methods were dumping at open and controlled dumpsites, open burning and burying. Three of the hospitals engaged a private waste collection company for services while the other three did not. There was no specific policy framework at each hospital and two hospitals did not have copies of the national policy. Linkages between the hospitals and other stakeholders were weak. There were no statistical difference between the awareness of different categories of staff about health hazards associated with hospital solid waste (p = .463), as well as attitudes toward waste (p = .542). Occupational health and safety practiced by hospital staff was the use of personal protective equipment. Solid waste management practices at the hospitals were below standard. Hospitals should organise training on waste segregation, provide resources and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure good waste management practices.