Healthcare Solid Wastes Management Practices in Selected Public Hospitals in Upper West Region, Ghana

Abstract

The production of healthcare waste is a significant global environmental concern due to its detrimental effects on human health and the environment. This study aimed to investigate the healthcare solid waste management practices in selected public hospitals in the Upper West Region of Ghana. The study focused on the types and quantities of waste generated, the knowledge of healthcare workers regarding recommended management practices, the implications of current waste management practices, and the challenges faced in managing healthcare waste. The study was guided by the theories of planned behavior and zero-waste. It employed a concurrent mixed-methods research design and collected data from 393 healthcare workers from four selected public hospitals, Environmental Health Officers at Municipal and District Assemblies, Administrators, and Directors of the Ghana Health Service through questionnaire survey, observations, and key informant interviews. Additionally, data on daily waste quantities were gathered through routine daily waste measurement. The results showed that the major categories of waste generated in the six selected wards or units were general, sharps, infectious, and pathological wastes. The waste generated amounted to 24,722.9 kg, comprising general (53%), sharps (13%), infectious (27%), and pathological (7%) wastes. Furthermore, the knowledge levels of recommended waste management practices among healthcare workers were high. The study also revealed that waste management practices could have severe consequences for human health and the environment through air, water, and land pollution. The study found that the management of healthcare waste is plagued by inadequate infrastructure, inadequate sanitation logistics and equipment, a lack of training on waste management, insufficient human resources, poor funding of sanitation activities, and a lack of political will. The study concludes that the amount of waste generation depends on the size and services rendered by the hospitals. Also, current healthcare waste management practices have dire consequences for human health and the environment. It is recommended that the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service collaborate and provide modern waste treatment infrastructure, grant financial autonomy to hospitals, and offer refresher training for workers.