HEALTHCARE WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN SELECTED HEALTHCARE FACILITIES: A QUANTITATIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL DESCRIPTIVE STUDY

: The management of healthcare waste, known as Health Care Waste Management (HCWM), is an essential component of maintaining hygiene and proper upkeep within health facilities. This includes tasks such as the collection, transportation, treatment, and disposal of waste. Unfortunately, in developing countries like Nepal, poor HCWM practices pose a significant public health risk. Sadly, HCWM has not been prioritized, and has only received sporadic attention in recent years. In numerous instances, healthcare waste is disposed of through burning in metal drums or openly, leading to the release of toxic by-products into the environment. In Nepal, inadequate HCWM practices contribute to a range of health hazards, such as needle stick injuries (NSI) or other sharps injuries that can cause Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV, as well as other health risks such as hemorrhagic fevers, skin infections, and gastroenteric infections. This study aimed to assess the practices of Health Care Waste Management (HCWM) in a specifically chosen health facility (HF) located in the Kailali district of Nepal. The research employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design and a quantitative method, in addition to a review and analysis of relevant