ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: This study was to provide baseline data to arrange systematic management for the infectious waste. METHODS: This data was collected by self-reported questionnaires from a total of 419 subjects, ie nurses, nurse's aides and laboratory technicians working at a university hospital located in G city. The collected data were analyzed by t-test or ANOVA, Tukey test, Pearson's correlation, and multiple regression analysis using SPSS/WIN 12.0. RESULTS: The knowledge of the infectious waste was statistically significant in type of staff and level of education. Attitude was statistically significant in type of staff, age group, level of education, working period, and marital status. And also the practice of the subject was statistically significant in type of staff, age group, education level, the working periods, and marital status. There was positive association between attitude and practice(r=.63, p< 001). By means of multiple stepwise regression analysis, total variance explained by the attitude towards infectious wastes, single employee, and the working periods less than ten years was 44% of the practice of infectious wastes. CONCLUSION: An educational program focusing on strategy to change employee's attitude can be effective for building a well-organized management system.