Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Healthcare Workers in Private Clinics on Healthcare Waste Management in Kawempe Division, Kampala District, Uganda

Healthcare waste poses great risks to healthcare workers, waste handlers, communities and the environment if not properly managed. The study assessed knowledge, attitudes and practices on healthcare waste management among healthcare workers in private clinics in Kawempe Division, Kampala, Uganda. A descriptive cross-sectional study employing both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods was conducted. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data in 137 private clinics among different cadres including doctors, nurses, midwives, clinical officers, laboratory technicians, and dentists, while an observational checklist was used in 20 clinics to establish practices. Quantitative data was entered and cleaned in EPI DATA 3.0 and analysed in STATA 13. An interview guide was used to collect qualitative data among eight key informants from private clinics, local authority practitioners, and health care waste researchers which was analysed thematically. All the 137 healthcare workers (100%) knew about healthcare waste management, and agreed that healthcare waste management was not only important but was, their responsibility. Among the respondents, 73.0% and 69.3% agreed that burying and burning healthcare waste respectively could cause harm. In addition, 47.4% of the respondents reported injuries due to healthcare waste particularly from needle sticks (64.6%). Lastly, 74.5% of the respondents reported using personal protective equipment during work activities. Most private clinics were limited by space, and poor enforcement of waste management guidelines by authorities was identified. Strategies to improve practices among healthcare workers in private clinics are needed for proper management of healthcare waste.