Assessment of Safety Practice and Associated Factors Among Waste Handlers in Governmental Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Abstract Background: Health facilities generate different types of wastes characterized as hazardous wastes and most of them are infectious, toxic, harmful and carcinogenic. Medical Waste handlers faced massive exposure to hazardous wastes and occupational accidents as a result of manual handling of waste and working under unfavorable conditions. This indicates that waste handlers are often at high risk occupational injuries. In Ethiopia there are limited studies and updated information concerning this issues and it is not well studied in our study settings. The aim of this study was to assess safety practices and associated factors among selected public hospital waste handler in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2019.Method: An institutional based cross- sectional study was used to conduct the study. All waste handlers of selected government hospital were included in the study. The data was collected via interview using structured questionnaire. Bivariate and multi variable logistic regressions were employed to identify the predictor variables. Statistical significance was considered at P <0.05 with adjusted odds ratio calculated at 95% CI. Result: The prevalence of current safety practice among public hospital waste handlers was found to be 44.1% (95% CI; 37.3-51.0). Respondents with good knowledge (AOR=4.7; 95% CI: 1.9, 11.5), having good supplies (AOR=6.78; 95% CI: 2.2, 20.7) had higher odds of adherence to safety practices compared to their counterparts.Conclusion: The study shows that the prevalence of safety practice is low. Knowledge of waste handles on safety measures and availability & accessibility of safety materials is the determinant factors for safety practice while handling waste. To sustain good safety practice adequate per-service and in-service training should be in place to increase their knowledge about safety precautions and availing safety materials for adherence to safety practice among hospital waste handlers.