Nursing students' level of knowledge of hospital waste management and associated factors: Case study at the Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Techniques Health of Oujda

Hospital waste management is one of the skills required of a nurse and healthcare professional. It is an essential aspect of environmental and health risk prevention. The knowledge and practice of students undergoing training in this field are a cornerstone for the implementation of standards in this area. In this context, the present study focuses on the level of knowledge of nursing and health technician students at the Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Techniques Health of Oujda (HINPTHO) and the factors associated with it. To achieve this objective, an analytical study was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire with 286 students. The data collection tool contained 16 questions, which resulted in a score that would determine the level of knowledge of the participants. A low level corresponds to a score between 0 and 9, an average level corresponds to a score between 10 and 19, and an excellent level corresponds to a score between 20 and 28. Our results show that 22.7% of the students reported an average level of knowledge of hospital waste management. The level of knowledge was associated with the student profile (p<0.001). Only 25.1% of the students identified the waste management process. Respondents were well-conditioned to identify sharps waste (76.6% of students) and infectious waste (57.2% of students). Our results highlight the need increased education in hospital waste management.