Identifying Factors Affecting Biomedical Waste Management in the Context of United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals in India

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study is to capture the perceptions of the variables of knowledge, attitude, practice and compliance-monitoring and their role in biomedical waste management in the context of United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

Design: The authors used interviews and survey questionnaire to capture perceptions of biomedical waste management. Convenience sampling was employed in the state of Goa, India. The data was analysed using partial least squares, structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).

Setting: Doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other paramedical staff across 10 private hospitals in Goa, India, participated between June 2024 and November 2024 and sample of 85 was obtained.

Main Outcomes and Measures: Knowledge, attitude, practice and compliance-monitoring were found to be four factors (variables) that affect biomedical waste management.

Results: The major challenges to implementation of biomedical waste management was found to be lack of funding (35.3%), competing priorities (23.5%), lack of expertise (17.6%), resistance to change (11.7%). Eighty eight percent of the respondents felt the need for proper training and expected the training to be conducted once a quarter (52.9%), monthly (23,5%) or at least twice a year (17.6%). While the respondents understood biomedical waste management, 70.2% were not aware of United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3, 12, 17). While awareness of SDG was low, 94.1% of the respondents mentioned that impact of biomedical waste on environment was advocated by the hospital and 88.2% felt that the hospital ensures environmentally safe disposal of biomedical waste either themselves or through a partner. Interestingly, only 56.5% of the respondents were aware of any government initiatives promoting sustainability in hospitals, indicting low levels of awareness.

Conclusion: Knowledge, attitude, practice and compliance-monitoring positively affects biomedical waste management. Proper training will improve the biomedical waste management and the awareness of UN SDGs.