The disposal pattern of domestic medical and pharmaceutical waste in Uyo Metropolis, Southern Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Abstract The evaluation of waste treatment practices is an important step in the design interventions to improve the health status of municipalities. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate national practices in the treatment (disposal) of medical and pharmaceutical waste by households in the Uyo metropolis in Nigeria; and to provide a Informal education on appropriate practices for the community. Methods: The city was delimited into three zones A, B and C equivalent respectively to residential districts High income, middle income and low income. In total, 140 households were selected at random in the zones (40 households each of zones A and B and 60 of zone C). The sampling unit was the head or the representative of each household. A self-administered self-administered questionnaire was used to assess practices for the disposal of domestic medical and pharmaceutical wastes. The chi-square test was assessed differences in disposal practices between the three zones. A p value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The majority of households disposed of medical and pharmaceutical waste with garbage. The rates of households involved in this practice ranged from 85% to 96.67% for medical waste and 73.34% to 82.5% for pharmaceutical waste. Only a small proportion eliminated medical waste by burning or burying them. Disposal by incineration was not practiced at all in the population studied. There was no significant difference in waste disposal practices between the three areas. Conclusion: The waste was not sorted before disposal. The recommended methods were not followed for the disposal of medical and pharmaceutical waste. Disposal of medical waste domestic products, especially sharps, does not meet the international standard