M I Tabash1, R A Hussein2, A H Mahmoud1, M D El-Borgy3, B A Abu-Hamad4. 1. Environmental Health Specialty, Environmental Health Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt. 2. Environmental Chemistry and Biology Specialty, Environmental Health Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt. Electronic address: rimahamid@yahoo.com. 3. Health Education and Behavioural Sciences Specialty, Health Administration and Behavioural Sciences Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt. 4. Department of Health Management, Faculty of Public Health, Al-Quds University, Palestine.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To assess knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of healthcare staff regarding pharmaceutical waste management; and to determine the impact of an educational programme on the KAP survey items. DESIGN: Pre-post-test intervention study. METHODS: The pre-intervention phase was performed using a sample of 530 out of 1500 healthcare workers. A predesigned interview questionnaire was used to assess KAP. Next, an educational programme was designed and offered to a subsample of 69 healthcare workers. KAP were re-assessed for the programme attendees using the same interview questionnaire, both immediately (post-test) and six months after the end of the programme (follow-up test). The parametric paired sample t-test was used to assess the difference between pre-test and follow-up test results. RESULTS: Poor knowledge and poor practice levels (scores 50%) detected in the pre-intervention phase were found to improve to satisfactory levels (scores ≥75%) in the follow-up phase. Attitude was found to be positive (score ≥75%) in all phases of the study. CONCLUSION: The educational programme led to a significant improvement in KAP of healthcare staff regarding pharmaceutical waste management (P<0.001).
OBJECTIVES: To assess knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) of healthcare staff regarding pharmaceutical waste management; and to determine the impact of an educational programme on the KAP survey items. DESIGN: Pre-post-test intervention study. METHODS: The pre-intervention phase was performed using a sample of 530 out of 1500 healthcare workers. A predesigned interview questionnaire was used to assess KAP. Next, an educational programme was designed and offered to a subsample of 69 healthcare workers. KAP were re-assessed for the programme attendees using the same interview questionnaire, both immediately (post-test) and six months after the end of the programme (follow-up test). The parametric paired sample t-test was used to assess the difference between pre-test and follow-up test results. RESULTS: Poor knowledge and poor practice levels (scores 50%) detected in the pre-intervention phase were found to improve to satisfactory levels (scores ≥75%) in the follow-up phase. Attitude was found to be positive (score ≥75%) in all phases of the study. CONCLUSION: The educational programme led to a significant improvement in KAP of healthcare staff regarding pharmaceutical waste management (P<0.001).