Disposal habits and microbial load of solid medical waste in sub-district healthcare facilities and households in Yilo-Krobo municipality, Ghana
Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
PLOS ONE
Abstract
The study aimed to assess disposal practices and quantify the microbial load present in
SMW from ten sub-district level healthcare facilities and 385 households in Yilo Krobo munic ipality, Ghana. Disposal of solid medical waste (SMW) was assessed by questionnaire based surveys, unstructured interviews and field observations. Microbiological analysis iden tified species and counts of bacteria present in SMW from both sources. Sociodemographic
factors influencing the method of SMW disposal in households were evaluated using logistic
regression analysis, with statistical significance set at p<0.05. Open burning (29%), burying
(25%) and disposal at a dumpsite (49%) were common methods used by households to dis card SMW. SMW disposal at a dumpsite was associated with age of respondents in house holds. Older people (50+ years) were three times more likely to place SMW in household
waste later discarded at a dumpsite, compared to younger persons (20–30 years) [a0R, 95%
CI = 3.37, 1.41–8.02]. In sub-district level healthcare facilities, open burning and burying
were the most common methods used. Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomo nas aeruginosa, Clostridium tetani, Enterococcus faecalis, Acinetobacter spp. Escherichia
coli, Bacillus cereus and Enterococcus faecium) were bacteria identified in SMW recovered
from both the healthcare facilities and the households. Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter
spp. and Clostridium tetani were found exclusively in untreated SMW generated in the health care facilities. Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. were found in one sample of treated
SMW. The microbial load in SMW from healthcare facilities and households ranged from
0.036 x 103
cfc/mg to 0.167 x 103 cfc/mg and from 0.118 x 103
cfc/mg to 0.125 x 103
cfc/mg
respectively. This highlights the need for institutionalizing appropriate treatment methods in
sub-district level facilities or strengthening the linkages with higher level facilities to ensure
regular and adequate treatment of SMW. Public guidance on management of SMW gener ated in households which is context specific should also be provided.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
disposal practices, microbial load, Ghana
Citation
Citation: Egbenyah F, Udofia EA, Ayivor J, Osei M M, Tetteh J, Tetteh-Quarcoo PB, et al. (2021) Disposal habits and microbial load of solid medical waste in sub-district healthcare facilities and households in Yilo-Krobo municipality, Ghana. PLoS ONE 16(12): e0261211. https://doi.org/ 10.1371/journal.pone.0261211