Improving Critical Care Nurses’ Waste Management Standards: A Knowledge, Attitude, Practice, and Risk Perception Study

Abstract

Background Hospital waste has the potential to contain dangerous microorganisms. Potentially harmful bacteria found in hospital waste can cause infections in the public, healthcare personnel, and workers.

Aim The study aimed to determine waste management knowledge, attitudes, and practice and their relationship with risk perception among critical care nurses.

Methods A cross-sectional study was used. Data was collected using self-reported questionnaires to measure nurses’ knowledge, attitude, practice, and risk perception toward waste management. The study was conducted in intensive care units at two major hospitals in the Alberehria government in Egypt.

Results A total of 300 nurses were recruited. The risk perception measure revealed a slight positive association with nurses’ practice and attitude, but a strong positive correlation with their knowledge. Furthermore, over two-thirds of the nurses scored moderate practice for waste management, and over half showed strong knowledge of waste management.

Conclusion The results suggest that factors such as level of education, gender, type of working units, experience years, and the number of working hours may influence waste management knowledge, attitudes, practice, and risk perception among nurses.