Determining the level of knowledge and awareness of hospital employees about medical waste management: The case of Kütahya

The aim of this study was to assess the level of knowledge and awareness of employees of two hospitals in Kütahya regarding medical waste. The questionnaire asked participants to indicate the extent to which they participated in the assessments by considering medical waste management practices in the facility where they work. The study population consisted of hospital employees working in two hospitals in the center of Kütahya, and the sample consisted of 516 hospital employees who participated in the survey. The first 7 questions are related to demographic variables, the 8th question consists of a 5-point Likert scale with 16 items, and the last 7 questions consist of a total of 15 questions about whether the meanings of the symbols in the pictures are known or not, as well as the questionnaire to assess knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions. The data were analyzed using the SPSS program. The question "In your opinion, what does this emblem mean?" was answered correctly by 96.7% of the respondents who answered "radioactive waste emblem". To the question "What color are the bags used for medical waste in the healthcare facility where you work?", 96.7% correctly answered red. Based on the results of the research, it was found that the level of knowledge of health care professionals in the two hospitals was at a high level. Based on the research results, recommendations were made to help manage medical waste and improve the level of knowledge and awareness of medical waste. Informative work on the courses given at regular intervals. Informing the employees about the activities of the medical waste sterlization facility by organizing a technical trip.