Situation analysis of the biomedical waste management in primary health care units of Ismailia district, Egypt

Abstract

Introduction: Biomedical waste management has emerged as an issue of major concern. Advances in medical facilities and the introduction of more sophisticated instruments have increased the waste generation worldwide. Aim: This study aimed to assess the current biomedical waste management process. Methods: cross sectional descriptive study was conducted at the fifteen primary health care units (PHC) units affiliated to Ismailia health district. Data were collected using the World Health Organization Individualized Rapid Assessment Tool (WHO-IRAT) which takes into account biomedical waste management organizational structure, policy and planning, training, occupational health and safety, monitoring, periodic evaluation and corrective action, financing, segregation, waste generation, collection, handling, labeling, posters or signage, transportation, storage, treatment and waste disposal. Results: The aggregate score percentage per urban PHC unit when rated using the I-RAT ranged from as low as 44.6% to 55% with a total average score percentages 51% for urban PHC unit and as low as 39.9%to 52.4% and a total average 47% score percentages for rural PHC unit. The wastes are properly segregated at the source according to different categories in 71% of urban and 62.5% in rural PHC units. The storage area meets the proper requirements according to World Health Organization standards in 86% of urban and 50%rural PHC units. Conclusions: The baseline assessment using the individualized rapid assessment tool provides information that can be used to compare and rank PHC units for prioritizing interventions and to identify possible areas for improvement.