Assessment of Biomedical Waste Management and Risk Perception among Health Care Workers at a Tertiary Care Hospital, Jamshoro

Aisha Memon; Dr. Hussan Bano Channar; Irfan Ali Chandio; Abdul Rehman Samejo; Mudassara Kiran; Kainat Ali Dino Khowaja

doi:10.61919/kptk6e46

Authors

Aisha Memon MSN Scholar, People’s Nursing School, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Pakistan Author
Dr. Hussan Bano Channar Associate Professor, People’s Nursing School, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Pakistan Author
Irfan Ali Chandio Clinical Instructor, College of Nursing Female, Mirpurkhas, Pakistan Author
Abdul Rehman Samejo MSN Scholar, People’s Nursing School, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Pakistan Author
Mudassara Kiran MSN Scholar, People’s Nursing School, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Pakistan Author
Kainat Ali Dino Khowaja MSN Scholar, People’s Nursing School, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Pakistan Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61919/kptk6e46

Keywords:

Biomedical waste management, healthcare workers, knowledge, risk perception, practices, infection control.

Abstract

Background: Biomedical waste management is essential for infection prevention, occupational safety, and environmental protection in healthcare settings. Inadequate segregation, handling, and disposal of biomedical waste can increase the risk of sharps injuries, blood-borne infections, environmental contamination, and unsafe exposure among healthcare workers, patients, and waste handlers. Objective: To assess knowledge, risk perception, and practices regarding biomedical waste management among healthcare workers at a tertiary care hospital in Jamshoro. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Liaquat University Hospital, Jamshoro, from January 2026 to March 2026. A total of 131 healthcare workers, including staff nurses, doctors, and housekeeping staff, were recruited using non probability convenience sampling technique. Data were collected using an adopted pre-structured questionnaire which consists of demographic characteristics, biomedical waste segregation knowledge, risk perception, and practice indicators. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 27, and findings were summarized using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Results: This current study founds moderate level of knowledge, risk perception and practice regarding Biomedical Waste Management among health workers (27.00 ± 3.84), (35.37 ± 6.03), and (7.63 ± 2.54). Moreover, formal biomedical waste management training was reported by 37.4% of participants, consistent PPE use by 38.2%, regular biomedical waste audits by 31.3%, and consistent availability of color-coded bins by 48.1%. Conclusion: Healthcare workers demonstrated moderate knowledge, risk perception, and practices regarding biomedical waste management at selected hospital; however, item-level findings revealed important gaps in training, PPE use, injury reporting, and institutional monitoring. Regular training, adequate resources, strict implementation of guidelines, and continuous audits are recommended.

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