Keeping in Pace with New Biomedical Waste Management Rules

Background: Due to changes in biomedical waste management rules in 2016 and further amendments frequently thereafter, there is a need to constantly update oneself on this subject, especially the health-care workers (HCWs). Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among the HCWs in a tertiary care hospital. A total of 500 pretested questionnaire were distributed with 427 feedbacks received. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 and Epi Info software. Results: A total of 427 participants responded with an overall response rate of 85.4%, which included 57 doctors (faculty), 124 resident doctors, 116 nurses, 110 paramedical staff, and 20 housekeeping staff. The mean age of the overall study group was found to be 30.06 ± 8.30 years with 242 male (56.67%) and 185 (42.33%) female participants in the study. The overall percentage of satisfactory response (≥60%) for the domains of knowledge, attitudes, and practices shows a declining trend as per occupation with best response among the faculty and worst among the supporting staff with a significant association ( P < 0.001) for previous training and higher correct response among the participants. Conclusions: Overall awareness of this subject is unsatisfactory across various levels of health-care facilities, especially among the grassroot level workers. Thus, widespread publicity, continuous training programs, and audits are must for awareness and uniformity in practices through all echelons.