Predictors of Compliance to Biomedical Waste Segregation among Workers in Health Facilities in Jinja District, Uganda

Abstract

Background: Compliance with biomedical waste segregation among healthcare workers, particularly in developing economies, is a major challenge. One of the main issues is establishing the predictors of compliance as a step toward addressing this challenge. Therefore, this study focused on establishing the predictors of compliance to biomedical waste segregation among health workers in health facilities, focusing on the Jinja district in Uganda. Method: This study utilized a cross-sectional study design that employed quantitative and qualitative methods using a questionnaire and key informant interview approaches. Results: The results showed that most (54.7%) health workers were not compliant with biomedical waste segregation. Additionally, the study found that gender, education, cadre, and experience were not significantly associated with compliance with biomedical waste segregation (p> 0.05). It also revealed that health facility ownership and support supervision were significantly associated with compliance with biomedical waste segregation among health workers (p =0.001, p =0.000). Conclusion: Health workers in the Jinja District do not generally comply with biomedical waste segregation. There is a need for the health system to increase efforts to support supervision and funding to reduce the effects of poor biomedical waste segregation.

Keywords

• biomedical waste
• segregation
• health care
• waste management
• uganda