Volume 29, Issue 163, September 2025

Understanding and implementation of clinical waste management among healthcare professionals: A crosssectional survey conducted at a military hospital in central Saudi Arabia

Ashraf E Saad^1♦, Nurrahifah Tajudin², Shaqra I Shali¹, Hassan M Aldossary³, Bashir Ighile⁴

¹Preventive Medicine Departments, Armed Forces Hospital, Wadi Aldawasir, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
²Infection Prevention and Control Unit, Armed Forces Hospital, Wadi Aldawasir, KSA.
³General Surgery Departments, Armed Forces Hospital, Wadi Al Dawasir, KSA.
⁴Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Department, Armed Forces Hospital, Wadi Al Dawasir, KSA.

^♦Corresponding author
Ashraf E Saad, Preventive Medicine Departments, Armed Forces Hospital, Wadi Aldawasir, KSA

ABSTRACT

Background: The hospitals around the globe diverge in the execution and management of clinical waste and face diverse challenges in launching efficient procedures & practices. This study focuses on the Armed Forces Hospital Wadi Al- Dawaser (AFHWD) in Saudi Arabia. Objectives: To assess the awareness and implementation of clinical waste management practices among healthcare workers (HCW) in the inpatient units of AFHWD. Methodology: A cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted involving 100 healthcare workers selected via purposive sampling. Data were gathered using an adapted self-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 27.0. Result: The survey achieved a 100% response rate. Participants reported a high level of awareness (93%) and adherence to clinical waste management practices (99%). No correlation was found between awareness and practice (r = 0.488). However, a significant difference was observed between awareness and practice (p < 0.001). Factors such as age, education, job position, department, work experience in healthcare, and training attendance had a significant influence on awareness and practices of clinical waste management (p < 0.05). Conclusion: While most healthcare workers demonstrate a high level of awareness and adherence to proper practices regarding clinical waste management, there is a need for ongoing and effective oversight by healthcare management. Strengthening sustainable and systematic practices of clinical waste management systems is more significant to progress safety to unbiased best practices in the management of clinical waste among clinical staff.

Keywords: Management of clinical-wastes, Awareness, Practice, Healthcare Workers, Inpatient Units

Medical Science, 2025, 29, e161ms3685

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v29i163.e161ms3685

Published: 14 September 2025