EFFECTIVENESS OF A TRAINING PROGRAM ON KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDE ABOUT BIOMEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT AMONG UNDERGRADUATE DENTAL STUDENTS.

Abstract

Background: The proper management of biomedical waste has become a worldwide humanitarian topic today. Hazards of poor management of biomedical waste have aroused the concern world over, especially in the light of its far-reaching effects on human, health and the environment. The awareness of health care professionals towards biomedical waste and its management can prevent possible hazards. With this milieu, this interventional study was carried out on third and final year students aimed at assessing the effectiveness of a training programme on knowledge and attitude about biomedical waste management.

Methods: 100 students (60 third years and 40 final years) were assessed for their knowledge and attitude regarding biomedical waste management. A self-structured questionnaire containing 30 questions was given to all the students. An educational training program was conducted and a short lecture on biomedical waste management was delivered to the students by an investigator in this study. After the session the questionnaire was re-administered to them. The data was analysed using software Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.The statistical analysis of the data was done using appropriate statistical tools.

Results: Final year students showed signi?cantly better knowledge (p =0.002) and attitude (p =0.004).In third years, the results showed statistically significant difference only in knowledge scores (p=0.003). Though the attitude scores have increased it is not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Final year students had signi?cantly better knowledge and attitude towards biomedical waste than third years after session .Awareness lectures were helpful in improving the knowledge and attitude of students.

Keywords: Biomedical, Waste, Dental, Management