Perception of Medical Students and Nursing Staff on Hospital Waste Management and its Environmental Impact
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64252/gtwdad73Keywords:
Biomedical waste, hospital waste management, environmental impact, medical education, paramedical staff, infection controlAbstract
Background: Hospital waste management is a critical component of healthcare safety and environmental sustainability. Despite regulatory frameworks such as the Biomedical Waste Management Rules (India, 2016), gaps persist in awareness and compliance among healthcare personnel. Understanding the perceptions of medical students and paramedical staff is essential for designing targeted interventions.
Objectives: To assess and compare the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of medical students and nursing staff regarding hospital waste management, and to evaluate their awareness of its environmental impact.
Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 200 participants (100 medical students and 100 nursing staff) in three tertiary care hospitals including two teaching hospitals. A validated Likert-scale instrument was used to measure KAP domains and environmental awareness. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and independent t-tests were applied using SPSS v26 to analyze group differences.
Results: Medical students demonstrated significantly higher knowledge scores (mean = 4.2 ± 0.6) compared to paramedical staff (mean = 3.4 ± 0.8, p < 0.001). Attitudinal responses indicated strong concern for infection control across both groups, but environmental awareness was notably higher among students (78%) than staff (52%). Practice-related compliance, such as waste segregation and color-coded disposal, was inconsistent among paramedical staff. Lack of formal training and limited access to updated guidelines were identified as key barriers.
Conclusion: While medical students exhibit greater awareness and concern regarding hospital waste management and its environmental implications, nursing staff require structured training and continuous education. Integrating waste management modules into curricula and conducting regular workshops can enhance compliance and mitigate environmental risks.
