KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE ON HANDLING AND DISPOSAL OF SHARPS AMONG NURSES IN A PRIVATE TERTIARY HEALTH FACILITY IN OGUN STATE.
Abstract
Background: This study was carried out in order to assess the level of knowledge and practice on handling and disposal of healthcare sharps amongst nurses in a private tertiary facility in Nigeria. The various studies that have been conducted to evaluate the degree of understanding and the methods used in handling and discarding sharps reviewed in this study have shown connections and gaps in knowledge and practice amongst the individuals involved in the study.
This study was also carried out in order to add to the bank of data available for the policy making bodies to appropriately draw inferences and reach conclusions so as to reach and create better policies to breach the gaps observed. The result of the study would also improve the data of the area in the study as not many studies have been done around this region. The results helped to
extrapolate findings in the region and its surroundings about their relation as regard the topic in question.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Babcock University Teaching Hospital, with 170 nurses participating. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires and multi-stage sampling technique was used.
Result: The findings showed that a little above half (56.4%) have good level of knowledge on handling and disposal of sharps and the study also shows that majority (82.8%) have good level of practice on Handling and Disposal of Sharps. Furthermore, factors such as heavy workload, lack
of protection measures, inattention as well as hasty work are factors influencing the practice of
safe disposal of sharps.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the study conducted determines the knowledge and practice on
handling and disposal of sharps among nurses in Babcock University Teaching Hospital (BUTH).
The safe disposal of sharps is a critical aspect of healthcare practice, and the adherence to proper disposal procedures among nurses is influenced by a combination of factors.
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