Title: Associated factors of medical waste management practices in developing countries: a review

Authors: Timothy Kurannen Baaki; Mohamad Rizal Baharum; Michael Pitt; Samantha Davies

Addresses: Department of Built Environment, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK; Department of Building Surveying, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ' Department of Building Surveying, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ' The Bartlett School of Construction and Project Management, University College London, London, UK ' Estates and Facilities, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK

Abstract: The heterogeneous composition of medical waste (MW) has continuously posed challenges with its management, with efforts concentrating primarily on treatment and disposal solutions. This has left a legacy of issues, especially in developing nations. The aim of this study was to examine the associated factors of medical waste management (MWM) practices in healthcare facilities in developing nations. Through a literature review of existing studies on (MW) definitions, and factors associated with its management, from regulation and policy formulation to disposal, the study identified factors such as poor regulatory frameworks, poor training, poor financing, poor infrastructure and low technological advancement, and influence of social factors, e.g., cultural norms as key issues. This paper has viewed the challenges of MWM in developing countries to be more of a management issue than a technological issue and has identified routine management approaches within an integrated sustainable MWM framework to drive improvements in MWM programmes.

Keywords: developing countries; healthcare facilities; HCFs; medical waste; sustainable medical waste management; waste management practices.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2022.128106

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2022 Vol.30 No.1, pp.104 - 124

Accepted: 14 Jun 2020
Published online: 06 Jan 2023 *

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