Attitude of Health Workers towards Hospital Waste Management in Jos Metropolis, Plateau State, Nigeria

Hospital wastes are identified as been responsible for the transmission of infectious diseases due to improper waste disposal and management. This study is therefore initiated to examine the attitude of health workers towards hospital waste management in Jos metropolis. Data was collected qualitatively and quantitatively using a survey questionnaire and in-depth interview (IDI) respectively. While seven (7) Key Informants were interviewed, although questionnaires were administered to 367 respondents, out of which 347 were retrieved and analyzed for the quantitative method. Finding of this study revealed that there were no colour coded wastes bin with biohazard symbols and covers in the health facilities as 64% of the respondents suggested that the State government and hospital management should make effort to provide colour coded waste bins that have covers with different biohazard symbols for various categories of wastes. It is recommended that the hospital authority and Plateau State government should make all effort to provide waste bins that have covers with different colour and biohazard symbols for various categories of wastes and ensure that health professionals are trained on waste disposal. This will go a long way to reduce the risk of contracting diseases and pollution in the hospital environment.