Improving health care delivery in five regions of Ethiopia: A secondary data analysis of waste management practices and innovations to improve quality of care

Background

Studies in Ethiopia show that health facilities generate significant amounts of hazardous waste. Nearly 60-80% of infectious disease cases may be attributed to lack of proper waste management. The USAID-funded Ethiopia Health Systems Expansion (AHSE) project carried out a baseline study on current gaps in health care waste management (HCWM) practices. Following the analysis, AHSE is implementing in-service training of 76 health professionals using a Self-Help DVD on HCWM standards and safe practices.

Objectives

This study examined medical waste management practices in Ethiopia and demonstrated current institutionalization in selected health facilities.

Methods

Using a subset of data from a larger health facility assessment of 156 randomly chosen health centers and hospitals in five regions of Ethiopia, the AHSE team reviewed waste management practices. The analysis used descriptive statistics.

Results

38.9 per cent of health centers had no infection prevention utilities for tuberculosis and other infectious specimens. Though incineration is most commonly used, open burning is practiced in more than half of health facilities. Around 17 percent of these had no solid waste pit with protection and cover. A similar proportion of health centers and a third of hospitals surveyed did not have ash/needle pits in use.

Conclusion

The analysis revealed gaps in waste management as considerable numbers of health centers and hospitals practice open burning and have solid waste pits without cover and protection. Sharps management is also poor. A follow-up study will assess changes in medical waste management practices post-intervention.