Solid Medical Waste Management Practices: A Case Study at the Sefwi – Wiawso Government Hospital
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Date
2012-12
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Abstract
The management of solid medical wastes poses a number of environmental and
health challenges in most developing countries including Ghana. Limited
consideration has been given to this issue in spite of the possible health problem
medical wastes cause. This study looks at thesolid medical waste management
practicesin the SefwiWiawso Government Hospital. Structured and unstructured
questionnaires were used to collect data while the total waste generatedwas
determined using a weighing scale before segregation.The mean sharps (hypodermic
needles, intravenous needles, scalpels, lancets, saws, blades, broken glasses etc.) and
hazardous waste generated per month were found to be 30.43±5.3 kg and 96.94±
24.5 kg respectively.
The analysis of the results showed that the differences between means of waste
generated in different months of the study period were significant (p = 0.0001).
The study revealed that except for sharps, segregation of solid medicalwastes was not
done.The main treatment method adopted in the final disposal of infectious waste is
incineration.The study showed that inadequate training for medical waste staff, lack
of supervision, insufficient protective equipment and lack of medical wastes
management policies are the major setbacks militating against waste management in
Hospital. This study recommends sustainable management of medical wastes in the
hospital to avert or reduce its negative impact on health and the environment
Description
A thesis submitted to theDepartment of Environmental Science,
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Environmental Science