Healthcare Waste Management Practices and Perceived Environmental and Health Risks among Healthcare Workers in Jalingo, Nigeria

Abstract

Medical waste mismanagement remains a significant global public health concern, particularly within resource-limited healthcare systems where inadequate infrastructure and weak policy enforcement persist. This study examined healthcare workers’ demographic characteristics, familiarity with medical waste, types of waste generated, and perceptions of training adequacy, policy effectiveness, environmental initiatives, and associated health risks. A total of 251 healthcare workers participated in a cross-sectional survey. Results indicated that the largest age cohort was 36–40 years (26.3%), the majority were female (57.8%), and most had a tertiary education (62.1%). Nearly half of the respondents reported being familiar with medical waste, and all facilities surveyed generated infectious waste, sharps, and general waste. Although 53.8% perceived staff training as adequate, a considerable proportion expressed concerns about the effectiveness of existing policies and current waste management practices. Notably, 57.1% perceived the health risks linked to medical waste as high or very high. Overall, the findings emphasizes persistent gaps in training, policy implementation, and environmental oversight, emphasizing the need for strengthened capacity-building programs, enhanced regulatory compliance, and the integration of sustainable, facility-level waste management initiatives to reduce adverse health and environmental outcomes.