Investigating the Waste Management Knowledge and Performance of Health Personnel in the COVID-19 Epidemic

The aim of this study was to investigate the waste management knowledge and performance of health personnel in the COVID-19 epidemic.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 470 of personnel in hospitals, health centers, and affiliated subordinate units of Jiroft University of Medical Sciences were selected utilizing the available sampling method from June to December 2020. The researcher-made questionnaire was developed utilizing available articles and books in the field of waste. The results were analyzed by SPSS software version 24 and independent t-test and Kruskal-Wallis tests.

According to the results of study, the status of information, production, and collection of waste in employees were desirable, but separation, transportation, and recycling were not appropriate. Moreover, there was a statistically significant difference in information (p = 0.000), production (p = 0.000), collection (p = 0.000) and general waste management (p = 0.001) among health centers. Also it was a significant relationship between residence (p = 0.006), education (p = 0.029), and location of work (p = 0.001) with waste management. Samples living in the village had a higher average score than city residents. The location of work also showed that the employees of the Health homes had a higher waste management score than other health centers.

According to the low performance of employees working in cities and hospitals in the field of waste separation, transportation and recycling, it is recommended that continuous training of employees electronically and virtually (preparing a short video on how to sort and recycle waste, inviting a recycling management specialist for training, role-playing). Also it is importance to improve performance and motivation and the existence of practical rules, instructions and adequate monitoring.