Knowledge, attitude and practices of sharps waste disposal by diabetic patients at home settings in uMzinyathi District Municipality

Abstract

Background Sharps waste is one of the categories of hazardous waste which must be properly managed. Sharps waste is hazardous and it should be disposed of in a proper manner. This waste has an ability to transmit diseases, as well as create a negative impact on the environment. The disposal of sharps waste generated in the community has been recognised as an area of public concern. There is a gap in proper disposal of sharps waste among diabetic patients in the home setting. Diabetic patients dispose of their sharps waste in different ways, but mainly in general waste. Umzinyathi District Municipality has semi-urban and rural areas with four sub-districts, namely, Nquthu, Endumeni, Umsinga and Umvoti. Umzinyathi District Mucipality has a substantial number of diabetic patients who are on insulin and who inject themselves at home. This study aims to describe the knowledge, attitude and practices on sharps waste disposal by diabetic patients at home. Methodology A quantitative, descriptive cross sectional study was used to investigate knowledge, attitude and practices on sharps waste disposal by diabetic patients at UMzinyathi District Municipality. A selfadministered questionnaire was used to collect data. A convenience consecutive sampling was used to sample respondents. A total number of 308 insulin-dependent diabetic patients from selected health facilities of UMzinyathi District Municipality, filled in the questionnaires. Results A majority of respondents n=149 (48.4%) disposed of their sharps waste in a toilet, while n=92 (29.8%) disposed of their sharps waste in general waste. Amongst those who responded, the majority n=193 (62.3%) were not educated on disposal of sharps waste; they had moderate knowledge of proper disposal of sharps waste. Most of the respondents practiced improper disposal of sharps waste. Conclusion Generally, the majority of the respondents n=193 (62.3%) lacked knowledge of safe and effective disposal of sharps waste. They were not educated in this regard, which had a negative influence on how they disposed of sharps waste. There are serious concerns regarding current practices of sharps waste disposal by diabetic patients at home.