Awareness regarding biomedical waste management among health care workers in a tertiary care hospital in New Delhi, India

Introduction: Segregation forms the backbone of Biomedical waste (BMW) management, and the hospitals lack segregation practices which ultimately results in the mixing of BMW with the general waste, and the whole waste stream becomes contaminated & hazardous. Though BMW management rules in India were framed in 1998, many hospitals are still disposing their BMW in a completely indiscriminate manner. Awareness of BMW amongst Health Care Workers (HCWs) plays a key role in its management. 
Objectives:  This study was done to assess the awareness regarding BMW management among Healthcare workers (HCWs) 
Materials and Methods: 700 HCWs (Doctors & Nurses) dealing with patient care were interviewed by a self-structured questionnaire to assess the level of awareness about BMW management 
Results: Out of total 700 HCWs, 422 (61.14%) had adequate knowledge.  71.56% Doctors and 42.4% Nurses were found to have adequate knowledge of BMW management. 72.4% of HCWs were adequately aware about BMWM rules. Awareness about Biohazard symbol was found to be 90.7%, awareness regarding hazards associated with poor BMWM was found to be adequate in 82.9% of HCWS, awareness regarding segregation of BMW was adequate in 76.6% of HCWs and 55.3% of HCWs had adequate awareness regarding the proper transportation of BMW. The awareness levels about disposal of BMW were found to be 58.4% in HCWS. Also 79.42% of HCWs have attended BMWM training program on BMWM. 
Conclusions:  Regular and refresher training program on BMW management is needed in the hospital for HCWs to improve the awareness level among HCWs as BMW  management is important aspect of Hospital infection control practices. It should be made mandatory at the time of recruitment and to be included in the curriculum of Medical & Nursing staff.