Page 212 - AJWEP-22-5

Suram, et al.

It is imperative that healthcare workers (HCWs) possess seeks to scrutinize the practices employed by HCWs in
adequate knowledge of BMWM and adhere strictly to BMWM, concentrating on the specific methods utilized
standard procedures. A lack of awareness or improper for waste segregation, handling, storage, transportation,
understanding can lead to environmental harm and pose and disposal, and the degree to which these practices
significant health risks to all individuals involved in the correspond with their knowledge and attitudes.
waste management chain.
Effective BMWM requires sound knowledge, 2. Materials and methods
the right attitude, and a willingness to implement
best practices. While ongoing research in this area 2.1. Study design and data collection
is promising, periodic assessments across different This study aims to assess the KAP concerning BMWM
institutions and geographical regions are needed to among HCWs. The study sample comprised doctors,
ensure adherence and identify gaps. nurses, and other HCWs – including pharmacists and
This distinctiveness of the present study lies in lab technicians – from hospitals and diagnostic centers
its detailed examination of knowledge, attitude, and in the Nalgonda and Warangal districts of Telangana
practices (KAP) concerning BMWM among a diverse state, India.
group of HCWs – including doctors, nurses, and Data were collected from 163 participants between
support personnel – across both hospital and diagnostic April and June 2024 using a structured, closed-ended,
settings. In contrast to previous investigations that self-administered questionnaire. A convenience sampling
predominantly concentrate on individual institutions or method was used, and respondent confidentiality was
specific staff categories, this study presents a multi-tiered maintained through anonymous responses.
comparative examination, underscoring variations in The questionnaire was divided into three sections.
awareness and practices based on professional role and The “knowledge” section consisted of 10 dichotomous
workplace environment. (yes/no) questions on BMWM. A correct response was
Furthermore, by conducting the study in the assigned one point, while a wrong response received
Nalgonda and Warangal districts of Telangana – regions zero points. The total score ranged from 0 to 10.
characterized by a paucity of detailed data on the subject Knowledge levels were categorized as follows: 0 – 2:
– this research addresses a significant geographical and Very poor knowledge; 3 – 4: Poor knowledge; 5 – 6:
contextual void in the existing literature. The outcomes “Average knowledge”; 7 – 8: Good knowledge; and 9 –
furnish practical, location-specific insights that can be 10: Excellent knowledge.
directly leveraged to enhance local BMWM protocols. The attitude section included 10 questions on BMW
The incorporation of both quantitative metrics and BMWM, rated using a five-point Likert scale: 1:
(e.g., percentages reflecting KAP levels) and visual Strongly disagree; 2: Disagree; 3: Neutral; 4: Agree;
representations (e.g., charts) substantially augments the and 5: Strongly agree. The cumulative score was used to
study’s utility by rendering the data more actionable classify attitude into: 1 – 20: Negative attitude; 21 – 30:
for policy intervention. Consequently, this study Neutral attitude; and 31 – 50: Positive attitude.
establishes a data-driven framework for the formulation The practices section also comprised 10 dichotomous
of targeted training programs, standardized operational (yes/no) questions on BMWM. The total score ranged
policies, and monitoring systems designed to promote between 0 and 10 and was interpreted as: 0 – 2: Very
environmental safety and occupational health in poor practices; 3 – 4: Poor practices; 5 – 6: Average
healthcare environments. practices; 7 – 8: Good practices; and 9 – 10: Excellent
The objectives of the present investigation are practices.
threefold. First, the study aims to evaluate the extent Negatively framed questions were reverse-scored to
of knowledge possessed by HCWs concerning BMW, maintain consistency. Specifically, items 5 and 7 in the
particularly their comprehension of waste categorization, knowledge section, and items 11 and 18 in the attitude
segregation protocols, color coding systems, associated section, were scored accordingly during analysis.
health and environmental hazards, and relevant
regulatory frameworks. The study also aims to analyze 2.2. Statistical analysis
the perspectives of HCWs on BMWM, focusing on their The data collected through the administered
awareness of its significance, their sense of professional questionnaires were systematically entered into
accountability, and their preparedness to comply with Microsoft Excel and subsequently exported to
institutional protocols and guidelines. Finally, the study Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 23

Volume 22 Issue 5 (2025) 206 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025090058