A Study of the Relationship between Education and Waste Segregation and Disposal by Registered Nurses

Abstract

The objective of this research was to determine whether an education programme would increase knowledge and lead to more appropriate waste segregation and disposal by registered nurses. A questionnaire was sent to 50 registered nurses to assess their baseline knowledge of waste segregation and disposal. The information obtained from this questionnaire served as the basis for the development of an education programme regarding waste segregation and disposal. The education session encompassed Health Department Victoria guidelines for waste segregation and disposal. The education programme covered a two week period. A second questionnaire was sent to the registered nurses post education programme. This questionnaire assessed the knowledge obtained from the programme. Using a McNemar test for statistical analysis, more registered nurses post education session (80%) disposed of a used oxygen mask correctly than pre education session (59%), (x = 13.06, df 1, p < 0.0005). Pre education and post education weighing of infectious wastes was done prior to sending out of both questionnaires to assess if there was any change in the way wastes were disposed of post education programme. Using a paired t test, post education session weights were significantly lower than pre education session weights (t = 2.33, df 6, p < 0.05).