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Background: Improper collection, segregation, transportation, treatment and disposal of healthcare wastes waste pose risk to public health and the environment. The aim of this assessment was to determine the healthcare waste generation rate, composition and management practice in Dilla University Referral Hospital.Methods: An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted in Dilla University Referral hospital from May to June 2019. The quantitative data was collected for eight consecutive days using direct measurment of healthcare waste. The qualitative data was collected by using questionnaire, observation checklist, and in-depth interview. The qualitative data was collected and transcribed and thematic content analysis was done.Result: A total of 1212.5 kg of healthcare waste was generated in the study period with an average of 151.56 kg (±73.4). The hazardous fraction of the healthcare waste was 581.9 kg (48 %) while the generation rate was 0.866 kg bed-1day-1. From the total healthcare waste, general waste was the highest 630.6 kg (52%) followed by infectious waste which was 299.5 kg (24.7%). There was no segregation of healthcare waste by type at the point of generation and there was no pre-treatment of infectious wastes. Placenta pit was used for pathological wastes and open burning was the main disposal mechanism for the remaining wastes.Conclusion: The finding indicated that the proportion of hazardous waste generated from the hospital was above the threshold set by the World Health Organization. There was a lack of appropriate waste segregation, storage, transport, treatment and disposal practices in the referal hospital. |
