Study to assess challenges faced in biomedical waste management by waste handlers during COVID 19 pandemic in a tertiary care hospital

ABSTRACT

IntroductionCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19) saw an overhaul in the biomedical waste management (BMWM) practices) Waste handlers were at the brunt of these changes. If the challenges pertaining to BMWM at the ground level are better understood, more effective measures to overcome them can be formulated.MethodologyThis qualitative research using in-depth interviews was done on 17 participants during August to November 2021 in a tertiary care institute in Mumbai. Thematic analysis was conducted on the qualitative data obtained.ResultsThree major themes were generated from the transcripts. They are-challenges and concerns faced by BMW handlers, enablers/motivators, opportunities and future practices. Various challenges faced by waste handlers were- difficulties in segregation and transport of BMW, exhaustion from PPE usage and fear of acquiring and spreading COVID 19 from work, stigma faced from public, and handling COVID 19 deaths. Support from family and colleagues, incentives and a positive change in public perception enabled them to work.ConclusionsIt is of utmost importance to address challenges faced by waste handlers in BMWM. This will improve hygiene, workplace safety and reduce transmission of diseases. Onus should also be on periodic training in BMWM.