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Girmay G, Bewket G, Amare A, Angelo AA, Wondmagegn YM, Setegn A, Wubete M, Assefa M. Seroprevalence of viral hepatitis B and C infections among healthcare workers in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0312959. [PMID: 39509362 PMCID: PMC11542802 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0312959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 10/15/2024] [Indexed: 11/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at higher risk of contracting hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. Currently, there is no estimate of pooled data on the prevalence of HBV and HCV infections among HCWs in the country. Thus, this review aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of hepatitis B and C infections among HCWs in Ethiopia. MATERIALS AND METHODS A comprehensive literature search was conducted using electronic databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, Hinari, and African Journals Online to identify pertinent articles from the inception to April 2024. The protocol has been registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD42024527940) and conducted per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Data were extracted independently by two authors and analyzed using STATA version 11 software. A random-effect model and Egger's test were computed to estimate the pooled prevalence and assess publication bias, respectively. RESULTS A total of 18 studies involving4,948 healthcare workers were included in this review to estimate the pooled prevalence of HBV and HCV infections among HCWs in Ethiopia. The overall prevalence of HBV was 5.93% (95% CI; 3.22-8.63). The sub-group analysis showed that the prevalence of HBV among medical waste handlers and health professionals was8.6% (95% CI; 3.01-14.13) and 4.98% (95% CI; 1.85-8.11), respectively. The combined prevalence of HCV was 1.12% (95% CI; -4.19-6.43). In the sub-group analysis, the prevalence of HCV among medical waste handlers and health professionals was1.44% (95% CI; -5.28-8.18) and 0.59% (95% CI; -8.09-9.27), respectively. CONCLUSION In this review, we found a higher (5.93%) and moderate (1.12%) prevalence of HBV and HCV infections, respectively among Ethiopian HCWs. Therefore, to reduce the infectious burden of HBV and HCV among HCWs; there is a need to strict adherence to infection prevention and control measures. In addition, adequate HBV vaccination coverage for HCWs is mandatory to reduce the burden of HBV infection in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Getu Girmay
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Gezahegn Bewket
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Azanaw Amare
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Abiy Ayele Angelo
- Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Yenesew Mihret Wondmagegn
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Abebaw Setegn
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Menberu Wubete
- Department of Medical Laboratory sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dire Dawa University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia
| | - Muluneh Assefa
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Biomedical and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
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Cho Y, Withana PA, Rhee JH, Lim ST, Lim JY, Park SW, Ok YS. Achieving the sustainable waste management of medical plastic packaging using a life cycle assessment approach. Heliyon 2024; 10:e38185. [PMID: 39398058 PMCID: PMC11466672 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2024] [Revised: 09/01/2024] [Accepted: 09/19/2024] [Indexed: 10/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Hospital waste management often classifies all waste, including uncontaminated plastic packaging, as hazardous, leading to incineration as the primary treatment method. While effective for safe treatment, incineration incurs high costs and significant environmental impacts. This study explores an alternative approach through the segregation and sustainable management of plastic packaging waste derived from medical device use to mitigate these environmental consequences. Using a Life Cycle Assessment, this research evaluates and compares the environmental impacts of three waste disposal scenarios of plastic packaging: hazardous waste incineration, general waste landfill, and plastic recycling. The analysis focuses on 1 kg of plastic packaging waste generated from medical devices at the Limb Vascular Center, Konkuk University Hospital, South Korea. The results show that general waste landfill has an environmental impact of 79.7 % and plastic recycling has an impact of just 11.8 %, highlighting their significantly lower environmental impacts compared to hazardous waste incineration. These findings underscore the significant benefits of adopting more sustainable waste management practices in healthcare and offering valuable insights for enhancing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices within hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoora Cho
- Korea Biochar Research Center & Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, South Korea
- International ESG Association (IESGA), Seoul, 06621, South Korea
| | - Piumi Amasha Withana
- Korea Biochar Research Center & Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, South Korea
- International ESG Association (IESGA), Seoul, 06621, South Korea
| | - Jay Hyuk Rhee
- International ESG Association (IESGA), Seoul, 06621, South Korea
- School of Business Administration, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea
| | | | - Juin Yau Lim
- School of Business Administration, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sang Woo Park
- Departments of Radiology, Konkuk University Hospital, Konkuk University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yong Sik Ok
- Korea Biochar Research Center & Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, South Korea
- International ESG Association (IESGA), Seoul, 06621, South Korea
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Ayele B, Weldehanna D, Demsiss W. Serological Evidence and Associated Factors of Hepatitis B Virus and Hepatitis C Virus Among Waste Handlers: A Cross-Sectional Study from Northeastern Ethiopia. Infect Drug Resist 2023; 16:4881-4890. [PMID: 37525632 PMCID: PMC10387244 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s416409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified viral hepatitis, caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), as one of the main global public health issues. People who work in the collection of waste materials, from either household or medical environments, are at greatest risk. Objective To determine the prevalence of and factors associated with HBV and HCV among medical and domestic waste handlers in Northeast Ethiopia. Methods A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from January to April 2021 at selected healthcare facilities and municipal settings in Dessie town, Northeast Ethiopia. The sample size was determined using a double population proportion formula, and a simple random sampling technique was employed to select 70 individuals in the medical waste handlers (MWHs) group and 206 in the domestic waste handlers (DWHs) group. Five milliliters of venous blood was collected from each participant and tested for HBV and HCV using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23; the prevalence was computed, Fisher's exact test was used, and logistic regression was applied. Results A total of 276 study participants were enrolled and the overall seroprevalence of hepatitis virus was 5.1%. The seroprevalence of HBV infection among MWHs and DWHs was 8.6% and 1.9%, respectively. The overall seroprevalence of HCV infections among MWHs and DWHs was 4.3% and 0.5%, respectively. Medical waste handling, having a history of needle stick injury, and not using personal protective equipment were factors significantly associated with HBV infection. Conclusion The overall seroprevalence of viral hepatitis was high. The prevalence of HBV infection among MWHs was in line with the high endemicity classification of the WHO, and there was a significant difference in prevalence between DWHs and MWHs. Both groups of waste handlers should receive proper attention to protect them from HBV and HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beju Ayele
- Amhara Public Health Institute, Dessie Branch, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Daniel Weldehanna
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Amhara Region, 1145, Ethiopia
| | - Wondmagegn Demsiss
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Amhara Region, 1145, Ethiopia
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Leonard CM, Chunga CC, Nkaama JM, Banda K, Mibenge C, Chalwe V, Biemba G, Chilengi-Sakala S, Mwale FK. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of health care waste management among Zambian health care workers. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0000655. [PMID: 36962386 PMCID: PMC10021635 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Poor management of health care waste poses a serious threat to the health of health care workers, patients and communities. In developing countries, adequate health care waste management (HCWM) is often a challenge. To address this, the Zambian Health Services Improvement Project with HCWM as a component, was implemented in five Zambian provinces (Luapula, Muchinga, Northern, North-Western and Western Provinces), under which this cross-sectional study was conducted to identify the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of health care workers on HCWM. Fifty government hospitals and health posts from five provinces in Zambia were included in the study. Data was collected using a mixed-methods approach, which included surveys with health care workers (n = 394), in-depth interviews (n = 47) with health officials at the provincial, district, and facility levels, and observational checklists (n = 86). Overall, knowledge of proper waste segregation was average (mean knowledge score 4.7/ 7). HCWM knowledge varied significantly by job position (p = 0.02) and not by facility level, years of service, nor prior training. Only 37.3% of respondents recalled having received any sort of HCWM training. Poor waste segregation practice was found as only 56.9% of the facilities used an infectious waste bag (yellow, red or orange bin liner) and a black bag for general waste. This study revealed that only 43% of facilities had a functional incinerator on site for infectious waste treatment. Needle sticks were alarmingly high with 31.3% of all respondents reporting a prior needle stick. The system of HCWM remains below national and international standards in health facilities in Zambia. It is imperative that all health care workers undergo comprehensive HCWM training and sufficient health care waste commodities are supplied to all health facility levels in Zambia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kutha Banda
- National Health Research Authority, Lusaka, Zambia
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Gill YQ, Khurshid M, Abid U, Ijaz MW. Review of hospital plastic waste management strategies for Pakistan. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:9408-9421. [PMID: 34851487 PMCID: PMC8633613 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-17731-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Healthcare waste management is considered one of the biggest challenges that the world is going to face in the future. This threat is becoming reality owing to the worldwide sharp rise in healthcare waste generation particularly during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Like many other environmental crises, hospital plastic waste management is an area that got very little attention despite being highlighted in the literature, local media, as well as in international electronic and print media. This mini-review was conducted to assess the overall prevailing situation regarding hospital plastic waste management in Pakistan. Several illegal and unethical activities have been observed regarding hospital plastic waste management in Pakistan which includes unhygienic recycling, repacking of used hospital plastic items, open dumping on land, and disposal of hospital plastic waste in the ocean. To improve these conditions, suggestions have been made regarding the better management of hospital plastic waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasir Qayyum Gill
- Department of Polymer and Process Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, G. T. Road, PO Box 54890, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Mudasar Khurshid
- Department of Polymer and Process Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, G. T. Road, PO Box 54890, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Umer Abid
- Department of Polymer and Process Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, G. T. Road, PO Box 54890, Lahore, Pakistan
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