title: Evaluation of knowledge, practices, and possible barriers among healthcare providers regarding medical waste management in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Improper handling of medical wastes, which is common in Bangladesh, could adversely affect the hospital environment and community at large, and poses a serious threat to public health. We aimed to assess the knowledge and practices regarding medical waste management (MWM) among healthcare providers (HCPs) and to identify possible barriers related to it.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was carried out during June to September, 2012 including 1 tertiary, 3 secondary, and 3 primary level hospitals in Dhaka division, Bangladesh through 2-stage cluster sampling. Data were collected from 625 HCPs, including 245 medical doctors, 220 nurses, 44 technologists, and 116 cleaning staff who were directly involved in MWM using a self-administered (researcher-administered for cleaning staff), semi-structured questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nearly one-third of medical doctors and nurses and two-thirds of technologists and cleaning staff had inadequate knowledge, and about half of medical doctors (44.0%) and cleaning staff (56.0%) had poor practices. HCPs without prior training on MWM were more likely to have poor practices compared to those who had training. Lack of personal protective equipment, equipment for final disposal, MWM-related staff, proper policy/guideline, and lack of incinerator were identified as the top 5 barriers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Strengthening and expansion of ongoing educational programs/training is necessary to improve knowledge and practices regarding MWM. The government should take necessary steps and provide financial support to eliminate the possible barriers related to proper MWM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Healthcare Administration, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
authors.forename: Mohammad Abul Bashar
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Sarker
authors.affiliation: Drug Administration, Institute of Public Health, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Md
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harun-Or-Rashid
authors.affiliation: Department of Healthcare Administration, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomoya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hirosawa
authors.affiliation: Department of OEH, National Institute of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Md Shaheen Bin
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Abdul Hai
authors.affiliation: Department of Administration, Directorate General of Health Services, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
authors.forename: Md Ruhul Furkan
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Siddique
authors.affiliation: Director, Tokai Central Hospital, Tokai, Japan.
authors.forename: Junichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sakamoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Healthcare Administration, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
authors.forename: Nobuyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hamajima
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001459:Bangladesh; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008506:Medical Waste; D018505:Waste Management
chemical_list: D008506:Medical Waste