Assessment of Healthcare Waste Management Strategies in Selected Hospitals in Abuja, Nigeria

Improper healthcare waste management practices, capable of contributing to poor human health and negative environmental impacts, inundate Abuja hospitals. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to assess risk perceptions and awareness among healthcare workers handling hospital waste in Abuja, Nigeria. In this study, mixed methods design of quantitative approach using cross-sectional study and qualitative approach using descriptive case study were applied to explore the risk perceptions and awareness of healthcare waste handlers within the four selected (two public and two private) hospitals in Abuja. Coding and analysis of the quantitative and qualitative data helped in triangulation, which improved the quality of work. Major trends found through investigations, include that: most Abuja hospitals were fraught with poor healthcare waste management practices; healthcare waste attendants handling hospital waste in Abuja seldom appreciate the danger involved; there exists risky exposures of hospital waste to human health; coupled with negative environmental impacts. Summary of interpretation for the study points at improper healthcare waste management practices. Keywords: Environmental impacts, Healthcare waste management, Healthcare workers, Human health, planned behaviour theory, Risk perception, social care, Waste Management Theory.