Knowledge and practice of waste management among hospital cleaners

BACKGROUND: Poor knowledge and practice of waste management among hospital cleaners is a significant occupational and public health risk which could be improved by better training. AIMS: To assess private hospital cleaners' knowledge and practice of hospital waste management and the association with training. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was undertaken. The questionnaire was designed to record demographics, assess knowledge and assess self-reported practice and training by private hospital cleaners in Etiosa in Nigeria. Results were analysed with SPSS20 using chi-squared tests. RESULTS: Ninety-eight hospital cleaners out of 135 participated (response rate 73%), of whom 81% reported that they had received training. Forty-nine per cent had good knowledge, while 90% self-reported good practice. Statistical analysis showed a significant negative association between training and knowledge (χ2 = 11.1, P < 0.01). There was no significant association between knowledge and practice. CONCLUSIONS: This group of cleaners reported good practice but knowledge was negatively associated with training. This may be related to the nature of training. The study found a knowledge gap, exposing these hospital cleaners to occupational risks which appropriate training has the potential to prevent. Collaboration to produce effective training programmes is recommended.