Abstract

Introduction: Handling of Biomedical Waste by Housekeeping Staff is a very critical function in Hospitals, role of which is to create clean, hygienic & infection free areas required for the speedy recovery of the patients and also ensuring their safety. Collection & transportation of BMW requires trained manpower in accordance with BMWM Rules 2016. Therefore, keeping this in mind, a study was conceptualised to assess the Knowledge, Attitude & Practice of Housekeeping Staff w.r.t. key HIC Parameters & BMWM Rules 2016 at a Tertiary Healthcare Teaching Institute in India. 

Methodology: An Interventional, Longitudinal study was conducted from 21st Nov. to 21st Dec. 2017 at SGPGIMS. Convenience sampling method was utilised and a sample of 350 Housekeeping Staff was taken. Response rate was 57.14%. Assessment tool was prepared in Hindi language for better understanding by target population. Data analysis was done using SPSS 22. 

Results: It was observed that increase in knowledge of housekeeping staff about hand hygiene was from 26% to 69%(p= 0.00), Awareness about accidental needle stick injury was raised from 40% to 78%(p=0.00), Attitude towards use of PPE was observed to have been better. (Mean change from 2.15 to 3.17), Knowledge about BMW Management & practice regarding proper disposal according to colour coding was observed to have raised from 49% to 70%(p=0.000) & 26.5% to 73.5% (p=0.000) respectively. Overall Knowledge & Practice have been better by 15 to 60%. (p<0.000) Mean score of Attitude also improved to a fair level.

Discussion: Result depicts significant increase in knowledge, attitude & Practices of housekeeping Staff regarding BMWM post-intervention. Conclusion: These In-service Training Programs are effective in augmentation of knowledge; attitude & practices of housekeeping Staff & will repeat to compliance with BMWMR 2016

 

Keywords- KAP, Housekeeping Staff, HCP, HIC, BMWM Rules 2016, PPE, NSI