Aim:

Awareness of Medical Professionals in the management of biomedical waste.

Study Design:

Cross Sectional survey design

Study Place:

ICH & HC

Study Period:

April 2005 - June 2005

Study Population:

Medical Professionals

Sampling techniques:

Simple random sampling

Sample Size: 45

Results:

Of practitioners interviewed, 28.9% were North Chennaites, 31.1% Central Chennaites, 40% South Chennaites, 6.7% were pediatricians, 11.1% surgeons, 13.3% Obstetricians & 78.9% were General Physicians. 100% usage of disposables, 66.7% of syringes, 77.7% of sample medicine, 64% of used glove, 64% of used slides, 75% of expired drugs disposed in the general waste. 33.3% of syringes, 75.6% needles, 76.5% of tissue waste disposed in separate bin. 28.9% use a needle destroyer. Of those collected in separate bin 36.5% were disposed in general waste. 13.3% in open space, 28.9% for proper disposal. 93.3% were not aware of color coding system in spite of having heard about it.

Conclusion:

There is a need to create awareness regarding biomedical waste management.

Ooty Pedicon 2005 - Conference Abstracts.Pediatric Oncall [serial online] 2005 [cited 01 December 2005];2. Available from:
http://www.pediatriconcall.com/fordoctor/Conference_abstracts/
waste_disposal.asp