Collection and Quantification of Infectious Medical Waste at the University Hospital Center (CHU) of Abidjan / Cocody, Health and Environmental Risks, Ivory Coast

Abstract

A questionnaire, an interview guide and observation were used to collect data for this action research. The CHU of Cocody has a modern technical platform and a wide range of treatment options for various diseases. Thus, the vastness and diversity of the CHU's care activities inevitably lead to the production of enormous medical waste of various types. Among these wastes, infectious medical waste and sharp objects (OPCT) are the subject of this research. In fact, the CHU produced 4267.12 kg of these infectious medical waste and sharp objects (OPCT) from 01/01/2024 to 31/03/2024. Quantification by weighing of this infectious waste, made it possible to note that 40.04% of this waste, or 1708.66 kg are OPCT and 59.96% or 2558.46 kg, are infectious medical waste. 90% of this waste is collected, however the route of the remaining 10% is unknown according to our surveys. 66.66% of the administrative and technical staff of the CHU. 72.72% of the PCI and PGOP staff are aware of the existence of the ministerial decree on the regulation of the management of health waste. The waste management process requires the establishment of a program for the management of said waste. This program, although existing at the PCI, requires training of the various actors in the medical waste management process as a whole. Sorting is abnormally done because pre-collection is and collection can only undergo. Only 90% of infectious medical waste is collected. The three-quarter (¾) filling of safety boxes (BS) and the method of introducing OPCTs into the BS are not respected by a large part of the medical staff. In fact, 45.46% of this staff is not even aware of the existence of decree 131 of June 3, 2009 relating to the management of medical waste and the lack of training is the cause.