Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice among nurses about hospital waste management at tertiary care hospital Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Background:

Hospital waste management is a vital aspect of infection control and environmental safety. Improper handling of biomedical waste exposes healthcare workers, patients, and the community to serious health risks, including infectious diseases and environmental hazards. Nurses play a key role in waste segregation and disposal practices.

Objective:

To assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of nurses regarding hospital waste management at a tertiary care hospital in Lahore, Pakistan.

Methods:

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 80 nurses selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using a structured, validated questionnaire covering demographic characteristics and KAP domains. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 27, applying descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation tests.

Results:

The study revealed moderate levels of knowledge (mean = 13.58 ± 1.11) and attitude (mean = 6.55 ± 0.95), while practice levels were relatively higher (mean = 11.98 ± 0.59). Most nurses recognized the hazardous nature of hospital waste (100%) and supported segregation (98.8%). However, 76.3% failed to correctly identify biological waste, indicating a key knowledge gap. Despite 91.3% receiving formal training, only 10% reported actual waste segregation during collection. Correlation analysis showed a significant positive relationship between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.319, p = 0.004), whereas knowledge–practice and attitude–practice relationships were weak and non-significant.

Conclusion:

Although nurses demonstrated adequate knowledge and positive attitudes, a significant gap exists between knowledge and actual practice. Strengthening behavioral training, supervision, and compliance monitoring is essential to improve effective hospital waste management.