Public Awareness on Clinical Waste Management in Mabibo, Buguruni and Mbagala Wards, Dar Es Salaam

Mwakalukwa,, Solomon Ipyana (2017) Public Awareness on Clinical Waste Management in Mabibo, Buguruni and Mbagala Wards, Dar Es Salaam. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

The increase of healthcare and veterinary facilities in Dar es Salaam City has resulted in an increase of healthcare wastes, which pose serious threats to the environment, health workers, and the general public. This research was conducted to assess the public awareness on clinical wastes in Mabibo, Buguruni and Mbagala wards, Dar es Salaam with a view of assessing health risks to waste pickers and the general public. The data were collected using questionnaires, in-depth interview, and observation checklist. The results revealed that domestic clinical wastes are not quantified and separated in all the three wards. Clinical solid wastes at the Mabibo healthcare are disposed of on land disposal, and burned. While at Mbagala ward they have incinerator for waste incineration but the burnt wastes are taken by private environmental companies for disposal. At Buguruni ward there was no incinerator where hazardous sharps are stored in safety box and taken to Amana hospital for incineration. Other materials are treated and disposed of as other domestic wastes. The findings found that 75.0% of respondents manage clinical waste found in their area as other domestic wastes without much carefully handled, while 25.0% said that clinical wastes produced or found in their area are properly and carefully handled. Furthermore, the level of awareness is off concern as 50% were aware to waste management and 50% of them were not aware to medical wastes management.

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