Safety Practice and Associated Factors Among Waste Handlers in Governmental Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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 of occupational injuries. In Ethiopia there are limited studies and updated information concerning this issues. To fill the gap this study was intended to assess safety practices and associated factors among selected public hospital waste handler in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2019. An institutional based cross- sectional study design was used to conduct the study. All waste handlers of selected public hospitals in Addis Ababa 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. 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. 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 and practice about safety precautions and similarly providing enough safety materials is recommended to strength adherence to safety practice among hospital waste handlers.