Healthcare Waste Management Practices and Associated Factors in Private Clinics in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background: Healthcare waste management requires special attention and every healthcare teams should be involved in handling of wastes at point of generation. However, less attention is given to healthcare waste management in Ethiopia and there is no evidence about healthcare waste management practices in private clinics in Addis Ababa. Accordingly, this study was conducted to assess healthcare waste management practices and associated factors in private clinics in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methods: A health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 278 randomly selected private clinics in Addis Ababa. Data were collected using questionnaire and observational checklists. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with healthcare waste management practices on the basis of adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and P-values <.05.

Result: Results showed that 61.2% of the surveyed clinics had poor healthcare waste management practices, out of which, 56.8% had poor waste segregation practice, 55.0% had poor waste collection practice, 85.6% had poor waste transportation practice, 63.3% had poor waste storage practice, 61.9% had poor waste treatment, and 57.9% had poor disposal system. Healthcare waste management practice in the surveyed clinics was significantly associated with presence of guidelines (AOR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.06, 3.69), budget allocation (AOR: 2.05, 95%, CI: 1.20, 3.49), and inspection by the regulatory bodies (AOR: 2.47, 95% CI: 1.26, 4.84).

Conclusion: Healthcare waste management practice was poor in the surveyed clinics. This suggests that the healthcare industries in the studied region may create health treats to healthcare workers, waste handlers, patients, the community, and the environment at large. The following key elements are needed to improve healthcare waste management practices in private clinics: promoting practices that reduce the volume of waste generated and ensure proper waste segregation; developing strategies and systems, as well as strong oversight and regulation, to incrementally improve waste segregation, destruction, and disposal practices with the ultimate goal of meeting national and international standards; and selecting safe and environmentally-friendly management options, to protect people from hazards when collecting, handling, storing, transporting, treating or disposing of waste.