Abstract
Aim
The aim of this study was to assess the management, characteristics and generation of healthcare waste (HCW) in public and private hospitals in Kampala City, Uganda.
Methods
We employed mainly qualitative methods through the use of a waste inventory, observations, document review and key informant interviews. The HCW inventory was done to determine the rate of generation of infectious waste and general waste in one public and one private hospital. Observations using an observation checklist were done to establish HCW management practices in three hospitals.
Results
The average generation rate for infectious waste from Nsambya hospital (private hospital) was 0.23 kg/patient/day as compared to 0.25 kg/patient/day for Mulago (public hospital). Generation is influenced by type and state of sickness/condition, the level or seriousness of the sickness, the number of people nursing the patient, the visitation rate/number of people visiting a patient and the items they carry to the ward. These factors can be used by health facility managers to minimize the quantities of healthcare waste generated.
Conclusion
The study found no evidence that either public or private ownership is a decisive factor for the successful management of healthcare waste. However, contracting of healthcare waste management services to a private party as was seen in the public hospital had resulted in improved services and this strategy should also be tried in private hospitals.
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Acknowledgements
We acknowledge and appreciate financial support from the Dutch government through the Netherlands Organization for International Cooperation in Higher Education which made this study feasible. The funds were used only in data collection and the funder did not influence the study design or decisions of the researchers at all. Additionally, we appreciate the management of the hospitals (Mulago, Nsambya and Mengo) in Kampala for the support they provided during the implementation of the study. Special thanks go to the health workers and cleaners in the hospitals as well as the research assistants for their commitment and diligence in their work.
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The authors confirm that there are no relevant associations that might pose a conflict of interest.
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Mugambe, R.K., Ssempebwa, J.C., Tumwesigye, N.M. et al. Healthcare waste management in Uganda: management and generation rates in public and private hospitals in Kampala. J Public Health 20, 245–251 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-011-0459-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10389-011-0459-6