Abstract
Background: Healthcare waste management (HCWM) in low-resource settings poses significant environmental and public health risks, yet evidence on effective interventions remains sparse. This study assesses current HCWM practices, identifies barriers and enablers, and evaluates a low-cost intervention in primary health centers (PHCs) in rural India.Methods: A mixed-methods design was employed across 24 PHCs in Gujarat, India, from January to December 2023. Quantitative data on waste segregation, treatment, and disposal were collected via observation checklists and facility audits. Qualitative data were gathered through 48 semi-structured interviews with healthcare workers and administrators. A pilot intervention (color-coded bins and training) was implemented in 12 PHCs, with the remaining 12 serving as controls. Outcomes were measured at baseline and six months post-intervention.Results: At baseline, only 29.2% of PHCs fully complied with national HCWM guidelines. Key barriers included lack of training (reported by 87.5% of respondents), inadequate supplies (75.0%), and weak enforcement (62.5%). Enablers included staff motivation and community support. Post-intervention, intervention PHCs showed significant improvement in segregation compliance (from 33.3% to 83.3%; pConclusions: Low-cost, context-specific interventions can substantially improve HCWM in low-resource settings. Scaling such initiatives requires sustained investment in training, supplies, and monitoring systems.
Keywords
healthcare waste management, low-resource settings, primary health centers, color coding, India, mixed methods, infection control, sustainability