Knowledge, attitude and practice on disposal of sharp waste, used for home management of type-2 diabetes mellitus in New Delhi, India

Abstract

This cross-sectional study explored the present practices on household sharp waste management among type 2 diabetics in Delhi, India. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect and describe the socio-demographic parameters, diabetes home management characteristics, knowledge, attitude, practices and influencing factors towards household sharp waste management. Twenty diabetic clinics in Delhi enrolled a total of 303 type 2 diabetics, who were above 18 years of age and administering insulin at home. Chi-square and correlation were used to assess the associations of factors with level of practice on sharp management at home. Only 3.6% of respondents stated correct knowledge about safe disposal method. The study showed that 43 (14.2%) of responders had any kind of information on sharp waste management from their healthcare provider. Regarding practices, (84.4%) of respondents threw away their sharps in household garbage bins every day. Influencing factors like education form healthcare provider and pharmacist/friends were significantly associated with good disposal practices by home insulin users (p-value <.001). Education, garbage pick-up by someone, duration of insulin use, type of device to inject, number of needle used per week, number of lancets disposed per week, frequency of home blood glucose monitoring and frequency of visit to physician were associated with level of knowledge and attitude towards household waste management. The study did not find significant association between socio demographic, sharp use characteristics, knowledge and attitude with practices on sharp management at home. This research indicates that there is an urgent need for imparting correct knowledge regarding sharp disposal to home insulin users. Results also suggested that education by healthcare provider or other source is the single most important factor associated with good practice on sharp waste management at home. Further research is needed to support appropriate policies to educate and promote safe and appropriate management of sharps at the household level.