Palavi Sawhney¹, Arti Rauthan¹ and Anupama Arya²

¹Department of Public Health, Sai Institute of Management and Technology, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India

²Community Medicine, Govt. Doon Medical College, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India

() Corresponding Author

Received: Apr 27, 2026/ Revised: May 30 2026/Accepted: June 1, 2026

Highlights

  • Assesses knowledge and awareness of biomedical waste management among healthcare workers.
  • Evaluates compliance with biomedical waste handling and disposal practices.
  • Identifies strong awareness of infection risks and personal protective measures.
  • Reveals knowledge gaps in regulatory requirements and waste storage protocols.
  • Recommends regular training and monitoring to strengthen BMWM compliance.

 Abstract

Biomedical waste management (BMWM) is a critical component of healthcare systems, as improper handling and disposal of biomedical waste can lead to serious health and environmental hazards. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness regarding biomedical waste management among medical professionals working in multi-speciality hospitals in Jammu, India. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, and housekeeping staff, selected from four multi-speciality hospitals. Data were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire covering knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to BMWM. The findings revealed that the majority of participants demonstrated adequate awareness regarding infections transmitted through biomedical waste, disease risks, and the importance of personal protective equipment, with awareness levels ranging from 73% to 75%. However, gaps were identified in specific operational and regulatory aspects, particularly regarding permissible storage duration of untreated biomedical waste and major sources of occupational infection, where only 44% responded correctly. Nurses constituted the largest participant group (38%), and most respondents had 6–10 years of professional experience. The study highlights the need for regular training, continuous monitoring, and strengthened awareness programs to improve compliance with biomedical waste management guidelines and ensure safer healthcare environments.

Keywords: Biomedical Waste Management, Healthcare Workers, Knowledge and Awareness, Hospital Waste Disposal, and Occupational Health Hazards.

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How to cite this article

Sawhney, P., Rauthan, A., & Arya, A. (2026). A study on knowledge and awareness about management of biomedical waste in multi-specialty hospitals. Science Archives, 7(2), 53–60. https://doi.org/10.47587/SA.2026.7204

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