Perceptions of medical waste exposure prevention among medical waste handlers in Hadiya zone, Ethiopia: a mixed-methods study using the health belief model

BackgroundMedical waste is material generated during health facilities that constitutes a serious health hazard to its handlers and the patients. However, medical waste handling has received less attention in practice, and existing research is inconclusive as well. Therefore, this study assessed the perception of medical waste exposure prevention among medical waste handlers in Hadiya Zone, Ethiopia.MethodsA facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted by using quantitative and qualitative methods among 325 medical waste handlers from May 5 to June 5, 2022. A pretested, structured questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data, and checklists were used to collect qualitative data from eight in-depth interview participants and later triangulated with quantitative findings. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify independent predictors of the likelihood of taking action by using an odds ratio with a 95%CI.ResultsThe likelihood of engaging in medical waste exposure prevention was found to be 56.3% [AOR = 3.19, 2.73, 6.34]. Independent predictors: experience of more than 10 years (AOR = 5.27, 1.55-17.86), adequate knowledge (AOR = 4.30, 1.92-9.64), training (AOR = 3.81, 1.70-8.53), perceived susceptibility (AOR = 3.79, 1.71-8.39), perceived severity (AOR = 4.08, 2.52-6.63), perceived benefit (AOR = 2.87, 1.13-7.28), and perceived barrier (AOR = 0.42, 0.20-0.88). A qualitative response from an interview has also confirmed that there was a lack of on-the-job training, and supply of personal protective equipment.ConclusionThe likelihood of realizing the desired results in practice of preventive measures against medical waste exposure in the area is unlikely to occur unless there is a strong focus on creating health-seeking behavior. The study suggests that stakeholders should improve medical waste handlers' perception through the provision of professional health training and addressing the challenges to its practice.