Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding infection prevention and control among non-medical handlers of healthcare waste in public healthcare facilities in Wakiso district.

Abstract

Background: Healthcare waste can result in exposure to infectious conditions. Therefore, medical waste handlers need to adhere to infection prevention and control. Waste handlers, especially the non-medical ones, play a significant role in infection prevention and control (IPC) through cleaning, collection, transportation, and sometimes disposal of healthcare waste within the healthcare facility. However, their knowledge, attitude and practice towards handling healthcare waste are unclear. This study aimed to assess the IPC-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices of non-medical handlers of healthcare waste and associated factors in the public health facilities in Wakiso district. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that utilized quantitative methods to collect data among 135 randomly selected non-medical healthcare waste in public health facilities in Wakiso district. A structured questionnaire designed using open data kit data collection software was utilized to collect the data. The data was then downloaded in Microsoft Excel on a daily basis and stored in a password-protected computer. The data was cleaned and transferred to STATA version 15 for statistical analysis. Descriptive analysis was carried out to describe the data, while the bivariable and multivariable analysis was performed using modified poison regression to assess the factors associated with IPC practices. Results: Over two-thirds, 67.5% (81/120), of the respondents had adequate knowledge regarding Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) when handling healthcare waste, while 45% (55/120) of the respondents had a positive attitude towards IPC. In addition, 45.8% (55/120) of the respondents had good IPC practices. The factors that were associated with IPC practices included being married (APR=1.5; 95% CI 1.04-2.34), having a secondary level of education (APR=2.09; 95% CI: 1.46- 2.99), and working in a health Centre IV (APR=0.58; 95% CI: 0.37-0.91). Conclusion: The study found that the level of knowledge regarding IPC among non-medical handlers of healthcare waste was 67.5%. Furthermore, 45% of the respondents had good attitudes related to IPC, while 45.8% had good IPC practices. Good IPC practices were significantly associated with being married, having a secondary level of education, and working in a health Centre IV. Training for non-medical handlers of healthcare waste, targeting those with lower education level, the unmarried, and those who work in Health Centre IV facilities is crucial to improve IPC practices.