Challenges faced by the health assistants attached to the Teaching Hospital Batticaloa in managing sharp waste

Abstract

Sharp related injuries are the major occupational hazard among health staff. Wearing appropriate personal protective equipment is essential to prevent the injuries and therefore minimizing the risk of transmission of blood borne pathogens such as Hepatitis B, C and HIV. This study was carried out to identify the challenges faced by the health assistants in managing sharp waste at the Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa.The objective of the study is to identify the challenges faced by health assistants attached to the Teaching Hospital Batticaloa (THB) in managing the sharp waste. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study which was conducted among a sample of 134 health assistants working in THB using validated, interviewer administered questionnaires. A total of 134 health assistants participated in our study. Assessment of knowledge level on appropriate wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) reveals that 40%, 39% and 21% of participants had adequate, moderate and poor knowledge respectively. Even though the average knowledge on wearing PPE is adequate, half of our participants (51.9% n=71) did not know that Hepatitis B can be prevented by wearing appropriate PPE. Likewise, 75% (n=68) did not know that Hepatitis C can be prevented by wearing appropriate PPE. More than half of the participants (53%, n=71) correctly identified using heavy duty gloves is essential while handling sharp waste. However, only 41% revealed that they use heavy duty gloves. Similarly, nearly half of the participants (51%, n=69) wear rubber slippers instead of boots while handling sharp waste. The prevalence of sharp waste related injuries in our study population is 75 per 1000 population (n=10). The majority of the injuries have been reported to the authorities but only a few health assistants got tested for Hepatitis B and C following the injury. - Our study concludes the majority of health assistants working in THB having adequate knowledge on appropriate wearing of PPE. But there is a gap between their knowledge and their practice which is mainly due to the hot and humid weather preventing. Overall prevalence of sharp injuries among health assistants attached to THB is less. This is due to the fact that the majority of sharp injuries are reported while using the sharps and heath assistants generally are not the direct users of sharp instruments. Appropriate testing following reporting of sharp injuries should be ensured by the authorities. The quality of the sharp bins is to be improved to ensure puncture and leak proof with proper carrying handle. Continuous professional development programs and a monitoring system should be established to overcome the challenges identified.