EVALUATION OF HEALTHCARE WASTE DISPOSAL METHODS IN THE URBAN SETTINGS OF  CAMEROON

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Hazardous waste (Gillian, Akoachere & Mbacham, 2016) includes all infectious and toxic wastes produced by medications and equipment used in hospitals, health centres, medical diagnostic labs, and similar facilities. This trash is referred to as hospital garbage. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that between 75 and 90% of the waste produced at health centres should be deemed acceptable; nevertheless, the remaining 10 to 25% should not be disregarded (Ali, Wang, Chaudhry & Geng, 2017). Waste management is regarded globally as a significant environmental health concern, particularly in low-income and most developing nations. HCW may be disposed of using a variety of techniques, including encapsulation, compaction, reverse polymerisation, microwave sterilisation, autoclave sterilisation, chemical disinfection, sanitary landfill disposal, and plasma pyrolysis. Selecting an efficient and secure HCW disposal strategy is crucial for both the environment and human health in order to stop pollution in the air and several dangerous illnesses [Sawalem, Selic & Herbell, 2018]. The economic, environmental, technical, and social implications of each HCW disposal technique vary, thus choosing the best one is a difficult process that has to be done carefully while taking a number of aspects into consideration. There are still a lot of hospital wastes that are disposed of using conventional ways, such sanitary landfills, even with the introduction of novel disposal techniques. Combining home and hospital garbage puts people's health at risk since recyclable domestic waste may be turned into urban fertilisers. Diseases like diarrhoea, leptospirosis, typhoid, cholera, AIDS, and TB may all be brought on by exposure to various waste kinds, and they can even be fatal (Jahandideh, 2019). Every year, almost 2.5 million people pass away from diseases brought on by improper garbage disposal. Similar to several other developing nations, Cameroon encounters considerable difficulties in handling medical waste inside its metropolitan areas. Although there are rules and laws regarding hospital waste management, they are often not adequately implemented or enforced. Because many healthcare institutions lack the infrastructure, staff, and resources necessary to manage waste effectively, inappropriate disposal techniques are often used. Inadequate government control and assistance, along with a lack of public education and knowledge of the risks associated with illegal garbage disposal, are aggravating factors in this issue. Therefore, in response to these challenges, there is a growing need for research to evaluate healthcare waste disposal methods in the urban settings of  Cameroon.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Healthcare waste management is an important public health issue, especially in cities with dense populations and high healthcare demand. In order to protect the environment and the public's health, healthcare institutions produce a variety of waste kinds, including infectious, hazardous, and non-hazardous waste. All of these waste types must be disposed of carefully. Nonetheless, improper handling of medical waste disposal is still a major problem in many global cities, posing serious threats to public health and the environment (World Health Organisation [WHO], 2018). The concentration of healthcare institutions and the amount of trash generated in urban environments make managing healthcare waste more difficult. Uncontrolled dumping, open burning, and combining medical waste with regular municipal solid trash are examples of improper disposal techniques that lead to degradation of the environment and higher risks of disease transmission (Manga, Forton, & Read, 2017). These behaviours are often linked to poor infrastructure, lax enforcement of regulations, and insufficient waste management protocol training provided to healthcare personnel (Abor & Bouwer, 2018). Hence, the study evaluates  healthcare waste disposal methods in the urban settings of  Cameroon

1.3 Objective of the study

The broad objective of the study is to evaluate healthcare waste disposal methods in the urban settings of  Cameroon. The specific objectives is as follows

To determine the level of awareness among healthcare workers regarding proper healthcare  waste disposal methods in Cameroon.

To identify the types of healthcare waste generated in urban healthcare facilities in Cameroon.

To assess the effects of improper healthcare waste disposal methods on the urban settings of  Cameroon

To identify the challenges faced by healthcare facilities in implementing safe  waste disposal methods in Cameroon.

1.4 Research questions

The following questions have been prepared to guide the study

What is the level of awareness among healthcare workers regarding proper healthcare  waste disposal methods in Cameroon?

What are the types of healthcare waste generated in urban healthcare facilities in Cameroon?

What is the effects of improper healthcare waste disposal methods on the urban settings of  Cameroon?

What are the challenges faced by healthcare facilities in implementing safe  waste disposal methods in Cameroon?

1.5 Significance of the study

The study will be significant to the ministry of health as it will safeguard public health and improper disposal of healthcare waste can lead to the spread of infectious diseases, injuries, and long-term health issues, particularly among healthcare workers, waste handlers, and the general population. The study’s findings will help in formulating strategies to minimize these risks, thereby protecting communities in urban areas. The study will also be significant to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature and serve as a guide to future researchers.

1.6 Scope of the study

The study focuse on healthcare waste disposal methods in the urban settings of  Cameroon. Empirically, the study will determine the level of awareness among healthcare workers regarding proper healthcare  waste disposal methods in Cameroon, identify the types of healthcare waste generated in urban healthcare facilities in Cameroon, assess the effects of improper healthcare waste disposal methods on the urban settings of  Cameroon and identify the challenges faced by healthcare facilities in implementing safe  waste disposal methods in Cameroon.

Geographically, the study is delimited to Douala General Hospital, Cameroon.

1.7 Limitation of the study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraints are: 

Time: The researcher encountered time constraint as the researcher had to carry out this research alongside other academic activities such as attending lectures and other educational activities required of her.

Finance: The researcher incurred more financial expenses in carrying out this study such as typesetting, printing, sourcing for relevant materials, literature, or information and in the data collection process.

Availability of Materials: The researcher encountered challenges in sourcing for literature in this study. The scarcity of literature on the subject due to the nature of the discourse was a limitation to this study.

1.8 Definition of terms

Healthcare Waste: Refers to all the waste generated within healthcare facilities, including hospitals, clinics, dental practices, laboratories, and research centers. This waste can be hazardous, such as infectious, pathological, and chemical waste, or non-hazardous, such as general office waste.

Waste Disposal Methods: The processes and techniques used to manage and eliminate waste materials. In healthcare, these methods include incineration, autoclaving, chemical disinfection, and landfilling, among others, to ensure the safe and effective disposal of healthcare waste.

Urban Settings: Geographical areas characterized by high population density, infrastructure, and development. In this study, it refers to cities or large towns where healthcare facilities are concentrated, and waste disposal challenges are more pronounced due to the dense population and increased waste generation.

Hazardous Waste: A category of healthcare waste that poses substantial or potential threats to public health or the environment. This includes waste that is infectious, toxic, radioactive, or contains sharp objects that can cause injury.

Infectious Waste: A type of hazardous healthcare waste that contains pathogens (disease-causing microorganisms) in sufficient quantity to cause diseases in susceptible hosts.