Environmental Health Implications of Improper Medical Waste Disposal in Public Hospitals in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Author

Hassan Ruth Audu, Hassan Haggai Audu, Mercy Danbeki


Abstract

 Medical waste generated in healthcare facilities can pose significant environmental and public health risks when it is not properly segregated, collected, treated, transported, and disposed of. This study assessed the environmental health implications of improper medical waste disposal in public hospitals in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria, focusing on medical waste management practices, compliance with healthcare waste management guidelines, environmental health implications, and factors influencing improper disposal. A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted, targeting healthcare workers, waste handlers, and other personnel involved in healthcare waste management across six selected public hospitals: National Hospital, Abuja; University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada; Wuse General Hospital; Maitama District Hospital; Asokoro District Hospital; and Gwarinpa General Hospital. Using a multistage sampling technique, 321 respondents were targeted and 300 valid responses were obtained (93.5% response rate). Data were collected using structured questionnaires, observation checklists, and key informant interviews, and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (chi-square test and logistic regression) in SPSS version 29.0. The study found that although waste segregation and management practices existed in the selected hospitals, significant gaps remained in waste labelling, storage, treatment, transportation, monitoring, and final disposal. Improper disposal practices were significantly associated with environmental concerns, including air pollution, water contamination, soil contamination, occupational injuries, infectious disease risks, and exposure of surrounding communities to hazardous waste (p < 0.05). Inadequate funding, insufficient infrastructure, inadequate training, weak supervision, and limited regulatory enforcement were identified as important contributing factors. The study concludes that improper medical waste disposal constitutes an important environmental and public health concern in public hospitals in the FCT and recommends improved segregation and storage facilities, adequate provision of personal protective equipment, regular training, strengthened monitoring and enforcement, adequate funding, and adoption of environmentally sound treatment and disposal methods.



Keywords

medical waste; healthcare waste disposal; environmental health; public hospitals; Federal Capital Territory; Nigeria



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References


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