| dc.description.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. | en_US |
