Factors Contributing to Sharp Waste Disposal at Health Care Facility Among Diabetic Patients in North-East Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Background: Type 2 diabetic patients are major users of medical sharps in the community. Proper sharp disposal practice among them, however, was reported to be low. The current study was aimed to determine the factors contributing to sharp waste disposal at a health care facility among Type 2 diabetic patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, Type 2 diabetic patients who were on insulin therapy attending health clinics were randomly selected and interviewed using a validated questionnaire. Binary logistic regression analysis was applied. Results: Out of 304 respondents, only 11.5% of them brought their used sharps to be disposed at health care facilities. Previous advice on sharp disposal from health care providers, knowledge score, and duration of diabetes were significant contributing factors for sharp waste disposal at health care facilities: (Adj. OR 6.31; 95% CI: 2.63, 15.12; p < 0.001), (Adj. OR 1.05; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.08; p < 0.001), and (Adj. OR 2.51; 95% CI: 1.06, 5.93; p = 0.036), respectively. Conclusion: Continuous education and a locally adapted safe sharp disposal option must be available to increase awareness and facilitate diabetic patients adopting proper sharp disposal behavior.

<b> Autocuidado de pessoas com diabetes mellitus: reuso e descarte de seringas e agulhas / Self-care of people with mellitus diabetes: reuse and disposal of syringes and needles

“…Esses achados reforçam que, na atenção primária à saúde, o enfermeiro tem papel fundamental no aconselhamento sobre a doença, sobretudo acerca do descarte correto dos insumos utilizados pelas pessoas com DM insulinodependentes (5) . O conhecimento possibilita a esses pacientes o autogerenciamento de seu comportamento, além de ser associado às práticas seguras em relação ao descarte dos perfurocortantes (24) .…”

<b> Autocuidado de pessoas com diabetes mellitus: reuso e descarte de seringas e agulhas / Self-care of people with mellitus diabetes: reuse and disposal of syringes and needles

“…Esse padrão de descarte inadequado dos perfurocortantes também foi identificado em um estudo realizado na região nordeste da Malásia, o qual identificou que 88,6% das pessoas com DM descartaram os perfurocortantes em sacolas plásticas e 35,9% não se lembraram de terem sido aconselhados pelos profissionais de saúde sobre o uso e descarte das seringas e agulhas (24) .…”

“…A orientação sobre o descarte por profissionais da área da saúde, sobretudo o enfermeiro, foi associada ao descarte correto desses resíduos (24) . Esses achados reforçam que, na atenção primária à saúde, o enfermeiro tem papel fundamental no aconselhamento sobre a doença, sobretudo acerca do descarte correto dos insumos utilizados pelas pessoas com DM insulinodependentes (5) .…”

“…O conhecimento possibilita a esses pacientes o autogerenciamento de seu comportamento, além de ser associado às práticas seguras em relação ao descarte dos perfurocortantes (24) .…”

Effectiveness of Diabetes Community Sharp Disposal Education Module in Primary Care: An Experimental Study in North-East Peninsular Malaysia

“…They were an epidemiologist, public health medicine specialist in charge of a Non-Communicable Disease and Primary Care Unit from the Kelantan State Health Department, a family medicine specialist, a pharmacist, and a medical statistician. Prior to the current study, a cross sectional study which was conducted among Type 2 diabetic patients in these two selected districts revealed a low to moderate level of sharp disposal knowledge, with almost 99% of patients having improperly disposed of their medical sharp waste [31]. This local evidence-based information served as important point for a need assessment to initiate the newly developed module.…”