Bridging the gap: a cross-sectional study on biomedical waste management education and compliance in dental institutions of Delhi National Capital Region.

Abstract

Introduction and method: Biomedical waste management (BMWM) ensures the safe handling, segregation, and disposal of healthcare waste from hospitals, clinics, and laboratories. It reduces infection risks, protects public health, and promotes environmental sustainability, benefiting healthcare workers, patients, and communities. The purpose of this study was to assess BMWM knowledge, attitudes, and practices among healthcare professionals using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed by participants' educational levels.

Results: The study included 180 voluntary participants: 28 faculty members, 33 postgraduate students from various disciplines, and 119 undergraduate students from a dental college. 41.7% correctly identified black as the color code for general waste, and 73.8% knew needle syringes require puncture-resistant bins. Awareness of sharps containers and blood waste incineration (53.9%) was moderate. While 68.9% supported BMWM in undergraduate curricula, 91.1% stressed the importance of segregation. Autoclaving was used by 71.7% for sterilization, and 47.8% used special containers for lab samples. Faculty members had the highest knowledge scores.

Discussion: The study revealed moderate understanding of BMWM, with 55-60% showing full comprehension. Mercury disposal awareness (42.8%) was higher due to coverage in the dental curriculum. Collaboration among healthcare professionals and improved training are vital for effective BMWM practices.