ABSTRACT
Introduction: the practice of dentistry in contemporary times produces considerable waste that could be harmful to individuals and the environment at large. In Ghana and many other jurisdictions, there are guidelines that outline how these wastes should be managed. This study was conducted to explore practices concerning dental waste management among dental surgery staff in some public facilities in Accra, Ghana. Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study involving dental surgery staff of four major facilities in Accra was done. Overall, 124 staff from the selected facilities participated in the study, and 51 different dental surgeries were assessed. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and an observation checklist. The questionnaire included questions on socio-demographics, as well as knowledge and practices regarding dental waste management. Results: there was unsatisfactory knowledge of waste disposal, while practices did not generally meet international recommendations and the Ministry of Health´s (MOH) guidelines. Though all respondents stored their sharp waste in puncture-proof containers, 98.4% did not label their clinical waste, while 62.9% would dispose of used X-ray fixers by pouring them down the drain. None of the 51 surgeries observed had more than one colour code available. Conclusion: there is a palpable need for education, monitoring, and empowerment concerning waste management in Ghana´s oral healthcare system.
Subject(s)
Cross-Sectional Studies , Dentistry , Public Facilities , Hazardous Waste , Oral Health , Waste Management , Oral Surgical ProceduresABSTRACT
La pollution accidentelle par des produits chimiques peut avoir de graves consequences pour les populations humaines. En 2006; le navire Probo Koala decharge plusieurs centaines de tonnes de dechets toxiques dans plusieurs sites de la ville d'Abidjan (Cote d'Ivoire). Dans les jours et semaines qui suivent; des milliers de personnes presen- tent des signes d'intoxication. Les expertises realisees sur les dechets revelent la presence de produits toxiques comme lesmercaptans et l'hydrogene sulfure. Le bilan sanitaire fait etat de huit deces; plusieurs dizaines de personnes hospitalisees et environ 100 000 consultations medicales. Cet episode rappelle qu'a l'instar des deplacements internationaux des personnes; les transfertsmondiaux de dechets industriels peuvent avoir de graves consequences sur le plan sanitaire; en particulier dans les pays du sud
Subject(s)
Hazardous Waste/adverse effects , Hydrogen Sulfide , Industrial Waste/adverse effectsABSTRACT
La pollution accidentelle par des produits chimiques peut avoir de graves consequences pour les populations humaines. En 2006; le navire Probo Koala decharge plusieurs centaines de tonnes de dechets toxiques dans plusieurs sites de la ville d'Abidjan (Cote d'Ivoire). Dans les jours et semaines qui suivent; des milliers de personnes presentent des signes d'intoxication. Les expertises realisees sur les dechets revelent la presence de produits toxiques comme les mercaptans et l'hydrogene sulfure. Le bilan sanitaire fait etat de huit deces; plusieurs dizaines de personnes hospitalisees et environ 100 000 consultations medicales. Cet episode rappelle qu'a l'instar des deplacements internatio- naux des personnes; les transfertsmondiaux de dechets industriels peuvent avoir de graves consequences sur le plan sanitaire; en particulier dans les pays du sud
Subject(s)
Hazardous Waste/adverse effects , Hydrogen SulfideABSTRACT
Background: Medical establishment such as hospitals and research institutes generate sizable amount of hazardous waste. Health care workers; patients are at risk of acquiring infection from sharps and contamination of environment with multiple drug resistant microorganisms if wastes are not properly managed. Objectives:To characterize types and evaluate waste disposal techniques employed in the management of solid medical wastes in five selected hospitals in the Federal Capital Territory;Abuja; Methods:This was a cross section study involving the use of questionnaires; in-depth interview; meetings; discussions and participant observed strategy. It also involved the collection; sorting (segregation); identification and characterization and weighing of waste types from wards and units in the selected hospitals. Results:The average waste generation rate per bed/day was determined and found to be 2.78kg of solid waste; 26.5of the total waste was hazardous in nature.Waste segregation was found not to be practiced by any of the hospitals surveyed; 18.3of the hospitals incinerated waste in a locally built brick incinerator; 9.1bury; 36.3burn waste in open pits while 36.3dispose of a waste into municipal dumpsites. Conclusion:Waste management officers do not have formal training in waste management techniques; and hospital administrators pay very little attention to appropriate management of medical waste.Therefore; we must educate waste generators of their responsibility to properly manage the waste so that their staff; patients; environment and community is protected