Awareness about Ban on Single-use Plastic Items among Nursing Professionals: A Cross-sectional Survey
Published: January 1, 2022 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2022/52867.15895
Sukhbir Singh, Madan Gopal Vashihst, Mahesh Mahla, Ramesh Verma, Ishwanti Malik
1. Associate Professor, Department of Hospital Administration, PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana, India.
2. Senior Professor, Department of General Surgery, PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana, India.
3. Ex. Casualty Medical Officer and Senior Resident, Department of Hospital Administration, PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana, India.
4. Professor, Department of Community Medicine, PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana, India.
5. Nursing Superintendent, PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana, India.
Correspondence
Dr. Sukhbir Singh,
H. No. 2/8J, Medical Campus, PGIMS, Rohtak-124001, Haryana, India.
E-mail: drbrar1980@gmail.com
Introduction: The government hospitals work round the clock and huge single-use non biodegradable plastic materials are used by patients, their attendants, staff and the public at large for their day-to-day activities. Therefore, awareness among the healthcare workers is essential for the full implementation of the policy of ban on single-use plastic items.
Aim: To study the awareness regarding ban on single-use plastic items among nursing professionals.
Materials and Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional study done on nursing professionals across all seniority and from various specialty departments. Overall, 550 nursing professionals were included in the study. A pretested questionnaire, comprising 16 questions, was used as a study tool. Chi-square test was applied for studying the significant association among different variables.
Results: The response rate was 91% i.e., out of total 550 nursing professionals 498 participated in the study. It was observed that 37.4% of participants were in the 31-40 years age group, 95% were females, 90.6% were married and 90.4% were from the urban area. It was found that the mean knowledge score of three knowledge questions (mean=1.120, SE=0.032, SD=0.715, 95% CI=1.057-1.183) was higher among females, unmarried staff and respondents with a rural background. Primarily, majority of the nursing staff (i.e., 82%) had learned about the ban on single-use plastic from television and newspaper rather than formal teaching/training.
Conclusion: The hospitals should start regular formal teaching/training programme for increasing awareness of healthcare workers regarding ban of single-use plastic items. Thus, it is relevant to address this issue through well-planned formal training sessions.
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