Assessment of epidemiological factors and work related injuries amongst class IV workers involved in handling and disposal of biomedical wastes in a tertiary teaching hospital of Nagpur

Authors

  • Pawan V. Meshram Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
  • Najuka Tawale NKP Salve Institute of Medical Science & Research Centre, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
  • Mahesh B. Jajulwar Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20173621

Keywords:

Bio-medical waste, Work related injury, Class IV workers

Abstract

Background: Biomedical wastes generated from hospital settings are a potent source of various infections and diseases like AIDS, Hepatitis and other bacterial diseases causing serious threat to health. Health care workers which include class IV workers are at greater risk of various morbidities due to their job profile, including transport and disposal of biomedical waste. The study aims to find out the work related injuries among class IV workers involved in handling and disposal of biomedical wastes. The objective of the study was to assess the epidemiological factors and describe the work related injuries among class IV workers in a tertiary teaching hospital of Nagpur.

Methods: A cross-sectional study amongst 100 class IV workers was conducted using a structured questionnaire mentioning the socio-demographic profile and injury details at the work place.

Results: Of the 100 subjects, majority (37%) fall into the age group of 40-49 years. There were 77 females and 23 males. 58% were educated till high school and there were 4 illiterates among the workers. On enquiring about the details of injury in past 6 months, 45 workers were injured during their working hour of which maximum was by needle. There were 3 workers who in spite of being injured, didn’t report to higher authority.

Conclusions: Injuries at work place are fairly common and this holds truth for the class IV workers handling and disposing biomedical wastes. Proper disposal of sharps and other biomedical wastes correctly can minimize the risk of hazard. 

Author Biography

Pawan V. Meshram, Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

Professor, Dept. of Community Medicine, IIMSR Medical College, Badnapur, Jalna, Maharashtra - 431 202

References

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Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board, Government of India. Biomedical Waste (Management and handling) rules 1998. Available at: http://www.mppcb.nic.in/biomedical_waste. htm#biomedical_waste_management. Accessed on 4 April 2017.

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Published

2017-08-23

How to Cite

Meshram, P. V., Tawale, N., & Jajulwar, M. B. (2017). Assessment of epidemiological factors and work related injuries amongst class IV workers involved in handling and disposal of biomedical wastes in a tertiary teaching hospital of Nagpur. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 4(9), 3243–3246. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20173621

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Section

Original Research Articles