{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,25]],"date-time":"2026-08-25T08:27:50Z","timestamp":1787646470738,"version":"build-2736575974"},"reference-count":44,"publisher":"SAGE Publications","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,22]],"date-time":"2026-08-22T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1787356800000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/page\/policies\/text-and-data-mining-license"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["journals.sagepub.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Waste Manag Res"],"abstract":"<jats:p>\n                    Improper disposal of clinical and laboratory waste remains a major occupational and environmental health concern due to exposure to infectious, chemical, and pharmaceutical materials. This study assessed self-reported waste disposal practices and perceived environmental health risks among healthcare and academic personnel in Ekiti State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive study involved nurses, doctors, pharmacists, laboratory scientists, and students. A total of 450 questionnaires were distributed using stratified sampling, and 432 valid responses were analyzed (96.0% response rate). Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering socio-demographics, knowledge, disposal practices, perceived risks, exposure incidents, and institutional support factors. Analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression at\n                    <jats:italic toggle=\"yes\">p<\/jats:italic>\n                    \u2009&lt;\u20090.05. The outcome variable was poor waste disposal practice based on composite scoring below the cut-off. Overall, 61.6% demonstrated good knowledge of waste disposal practices. Compliance was highest for sharps disposal (78.9%), while pharmaceutical waste disposal was lowest (48.6%). A total of 27.3% reported occupational exposure incidents, with needle-stick injuries most frequent (39.0%). Logistic regression showed that lack of training (odds ratio (OR)\u2009=\u20092.41, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.52\u20133.83) and absence of color-coded bins (OR\u2009=\u20092.87, 95% CI: 1.74\u20134.72) were significantly associated with poor practice. These findings indicate that gaps in training and waste segregation infrastructure contribute to suboptimal practices and increased occupational risk. Strengthening training and improving waste management infrastructure may enhance safe disposal practices in healthcare and academic settings.\n                  <\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1177\/0734242x261476427","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,22]],"date-time":"2026-08-22T07:13:01Z","timestamp":1787382781000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/sage-journals-update-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Self-reported clinical and laboratory waste disposal practices among healthcare and academic personnel in Ekiti State, Nigeria"],"prefix":"10.1177","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0008-0056-7302","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Kanayo Samuel","family":"Okonji","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Chemistry, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Nigeria"},{"name":"Department of Health Sciences, University of the People, Pasadena, CA, USA"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"179","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,22]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_3_3_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Achra A Mahajan RK (2021) The changing pattern of the quantum of biomedical waste generated from a tertiary care hospital in Delhi. Journal of Laboratory Physicians 13(1): 80\u201383. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1055\/s-0041-1723056","DOI":"10.1055\/s-0041-1723056"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_3_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bakare AA Balogun KB Ogunbona MA et al. (2025) Genetic and systemic disruption by a municipal solid waste leachate in aquatic and terrestrial models and human cancer risk assessment of the leachate\u2019s metallic constituents. Discovery Toxicology 2: Article 22. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s44339-025-00044-8","DOI":"10.1007\/s44339-025-00044-8"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_4_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bassey U Tom A Okono U et al. (2024) Characteristics and management of municipal solid waste in Uyo Akwa Ibom state Nigeria. Scientific Reports 14: Article 10971. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41598-024-61108-0","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-024-61108-0"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_5_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Desta GA Sitotie YM Gebremedhine MG et al. (2025) Impacts of hazardous waste and management strategies: A review. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 197(11): Article 1173. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s10661-025-14634-x","DOI":"10.1007\/s10661-025-14634-x"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_6_1","volume-title":"National Healthcare Waste Management Guidelines","author":"Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria","year":"2013","unstructured":"Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria (2013) National Healthcare Waste Management Guidelines. Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria ."},{"key":"e_1_3_3_7_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hamed AEM Sefouhi L Ibrahim MIT et al. (2025) From knowledge to impact: Revolutionizing nursing practices in biomedical waste management for sustainable healthcare excellence. BMC Nursing 24: Article 469. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12912-025-03073-1","DOI":"10.1186\/s12912-025-03073-1"},{"issue":"3","key":"e_1_3_3_8_1","first-page":"485","article-title":"Impact of training on enhancement of knowledge, attitude and practices of bio medical waste management and handling among staff nurses of GGSMCH Faridkot: A before and after comparison study","volume":"14","author":"Kaur P","year":"2023","unstructured":"Kaur P, Gupta S, Gupta V, et al. (2023) Impact of training on enhancement of knowledge, attitude and practices of bio medical waste management and handling among staff nurses of GGSMCH Faridkot: A before and after comparison study. Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research 14(3): 485\u2013493.","journal-title":"Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_9_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Larsson DGJ Flach CF (2022) Antibiotic resistance in the environment. Nature Reviews Microbiology 20(5): 257\u2013269. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41579-021-00649-x","DOI":"10.1038\/s41579-021-00649-x"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_10_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Luan X Liu X Fang C et al. (2020) Ecotoxicological effects of disinfected wastewater effluents: A short review of in vivo toxicity bioassays on aquatic organisms. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology 6(9): 2263\u20132273. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1039\/D0EW00290A","DOI":"10.1039\/D0EW00290A"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_11_1","volume-title":"National Environmental (Sanitation and Wastes Control) Regulations","author":"National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Nigeria","year":"2011","unstructured":"National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Nigeria (2011) National Environmental (Sanitation and Wastes Control) Regulations. NESREA."},{"key":"e_1_3_3_12_1","unstructured":"Nwanege C (2024) Navigating the Future: A Comprehensive Literature Review on Solid Waste Management in Africa with a Comparative Analysis of Nigeria Kenya and Rwanda (Student essay University of Gothenburg Gothenburg). Available at: https:\/\/hdl.handle.net\/2077\/84498 (accessed 7 July 2026)."},{"key":"e_1_3_3_13_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Oli AN Ekejindu CC Adjei MO et al. (2016) Healthcare waste management in Nigeria: A case study of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu. Waste Management & Research 34(3): 274\u2013283. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0734242X15607424","DOI":"10.1177\/0734242X15607424"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_14_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Omo QG Hassan NE (2024) Biomedical waste management and their effects on the Environment: A review. World Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology and Sciences 11(1): 86\u201395. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.30574\/wjaets.2024.11.1.0020","DOI":"10.30574\/wjaets.2024.11.1.0020"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_15_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Onoh RC Adeke AS Umeokonkwo CD et al. (2019) Knowledge and practices of health-care waste management among health workers in Lassa fever treatment facility in Southeast Nigeria. Nigerian Medical Journal 60(5): 257\u2013261. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4103\/nmj.NMJ_161_18","DOI":"10.4103\/nmj.NMJ_161_18"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_16_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Pr\u00fcss-\u00dcst\u00fcn A Rapiti E Hutin Y (2005) Estimation of the global burden of disease attributable to contaminated sharps injuries among health-care workers. American Journal of Industrial Medicine 48(6): 482\u2013490. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/ajim.20230","DOI":"10.1002\/ajim.20230"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_17_1","unstructured":"Rahman MM Bodrud-Doza M (2022) Healthcare waste management in Bangladesh: A review. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 29(2): 1616\u20131631. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s11356-021-15692-y"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_18_1","unstructured":"Ranjan MR Parveen R (2022) A study on biomedical waste management in a tertiary care hospital in Patna India. International Journal of Medical Science and Public Health 11(3): 120\u2013125. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.5455\/ijmsph.2022.02021202208022022"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_19_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Raphela T Manqele N Erasmus M (2024) The impact of improper waste disposal on human health and the environment: A case of Umgungundlovu District in KwaZulu Natal Province South Africa. Frontiers in Sustainability 5: Article 1386047. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/frsus.2024.1386047","DOI":"10.3389\/frsus.2024.1386047"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_20_1","unstructured":"Sahiledengle B (2019) Prevalence and associated factors of needle-stick and sharps injuries among healthcare workers in developing countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine 24: Article 77. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12199-019-0820-0"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_21_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Salama MF Al-Dossary AE (2022) Knowledge attitude and practice of healthcare waste management among health workers in primary healthcare centers in Saudi Arabia. Journal of Infection and Public Health 15(2): 203\u2013209. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jiph.2021.11.004","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jiph.2021.11.004"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_22_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sales Junior SF da Silva EO Mannarino CF et al. (2024) A comprehensive overview on solid waste leachate effects on terrestrial organisms. Science of The Total Environment 915: Article 170083. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.scitotenv.2024.170083","DOI":"10.1016\/j.scitotenv.2024.170083"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_23_1","unstructured":"Sanjeev R Kurup S Subramaniam R (2021) Biomedical waste management in India: A review. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care 10(8): 2818\u20132824. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4103\/jfmpc.jfmpc_306_21"},{"issue":"2","key":"e_1_3_3_24_1","first-page":"200","article-title":"A study on knowledge, attitude and practice of biomedical waste management among healthcare professionals in a tertiary care hospital in Kolkata, India","volume":"12","author":"Sarkar S","year":"2022","unstructured":"Sarkar S, Sengupta A (2022) A study on knowledge, attitude and practice of biomedical waste management among healthcare professionals in a tertiary care hospital in Kolkata, India. International Journal of Health Sciences and Research 12(2): 200\u2013207.","journal-title":"International Journal of Health Sciences and Research"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_25_1","unstructured":"Shammi M Tareq SM (2021) COVID-19 pandemic healthcare waste and a circular economy: A comprehensive analysis of the literature. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 28(42): 58982\u201359003. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s11356-021-16038-x"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_26_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sharma A Sharma V (2022) A study on biomedical waste management in a tertiary care hospital in Rajasthan India. Journal of Evolution of Medical and Dental Sciences 11(5): 450\u2013455. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.14260\/jemds\/2022\/92","DOI":"10.14260\/jemds\/2022\/92"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_27_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Shekoohiyan S Parsaee F Ghayour S (2022) Assessment of knowledge attitude and practice about biomedical waste management among healthcare staff of Fasa educational hospitals in COVID-19 pandemic. Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering 6: Article 100207. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.cscee.2022.100207","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cscee.2022.100207"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_28_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Shivashankarappa D Athani SB Hombaiah PS et al. (2024) A study on the effectiveness of training programs in improving biomedical waste handling in a tertiary care hospital Bengaluru: A pre-post study. Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health 26: Article 101526. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.cegh.2024.101526","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cegh.2024.101526"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_29_1","unstructured":"Singh A Prasad R (2021) Assessment of knowledge attitude and practices of biomedical waste management among healthcare workers in a tertiary care hospital in Uttar Pradesh India. International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences 9(3): 780\u2013785. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.18203\/2320-6012.ijrms20210464"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_30_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Singh H YT K Mishra A et al. (2024) Harnessing the foundation of biomedical waste management for fostering public health: Strategies and policies for a clean and safer environment. Discovery Applied Sciences 6: Article 89. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1007\/s42452-024-05735-2","DOI":"10.1007\/s42452-024-05735-2"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_31_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Srivastava A Sharma A Jena MK et al. (2024) Can pyrolysis handle biomedical wastes?: Assessing the potential of various biomedical waste treatment technologies in tackling pandemics. Science of The Total Environment 946: Article 174167. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.scitotenv.2024.174167","DOI":"10.1016\/j.scitotenv.2024.174167"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_32_1","unstructured":"Tadesse ML Kumie A (2021) Healthcare waste management practices and associated factors among healthcare workers in health facilities of Adama Town Ethiopia. BMC Health Services Research 21: 1\u201310. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12913-021-06759-5"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_33_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Taghipour H Mosaferi M (2009) Characterization of medical waste from hospitals in Tabriz Iran. Science of The Total Environment 407(5): 1527\u20131535. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.scitotenv.2008.10.004","DOI":"10.1016\/j.scitotenv.2008.11.032"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_34_1","unstructured":"Tesfaye D Yirsaw BD (2021) Healthcare waste management practices and associated factors among healthcare workers in health facilities of Bahir Dar City Ethiopia. Journal of Environmental and Public Health 2021: Article 3281976. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1155\/2021\/3281976"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_35_1","unstructured":"Thakur V Ramesh A (2022) Healthcare waste management: A state-of-the-art review. Waste Management & Research 40(9): 1310\u20131330. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0734242X211003126"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_36_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wang F Xiang L Sze-Yin Leung K et al. (2024) Emerging contaminants: A One Health perspective. The Innovation 5(4): Article 100612. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.xinn.2024.100612","DOI":"10.1016\/j.xinn.2024.100612"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_37_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wassie B Gintamo B Mekuria ZN et al. (2022) Healthcare waste management practices and associated factors in private clinics in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. Environmental Health Insights 16: 11786302211073383. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/11786302211073383","DOI":"10.1177\/11786302211073383"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_38_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Windfeld ES Brooks MSL (2015) Medical waste management: A review. Journal of Environmental Management 163: 98\u2013108. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.jenvman.2015.08.013","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jenvman.2015.08.013"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_39_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Woime AW (2026) Medical waste disposal practices and their health consequences in resource-limited settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health 26(1): Article 1116. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12889-026-26722-9","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-026-26722-9"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_40_1","volume-title":"Management of Solid Health-Care Waste at Primary Health-Care Centres: A Decision-Making Guide","author":"World Health Organization (WHO)","year":"2005","unstructured":"World Health Organization (WHO) (2005) Management of Solid Health-Care Waste at Primary Health-Care Centres: A Decision-Making Guide. World Health Organization."},{"key":"e_1_3_3_41_1","volume-title":"Safe Management of Wastes from Health-Care Activities","author":"World Health Organization (WHO)","year":"2014","unstructured":"World Health Organization (WHO) (2014) Safe Management of Wastes from Health-Care Activities, 2nd edn. World Health Organization.","edition":"2"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_42_1","volume-title":"Health-Care Waste","author":"World Health Organization (WHO)","year":"2018","unstructured":"World Health Organization (WHO) (2018) Health-Care Waste (Fact sheet). World Health Organization."},{"key":"e_1_3_3_43_1","volume-title":"Health-Care Waste","author":"World Health Organization (WHO)","year":"2024","unstructured":"World Health Organization (WHO) (2024) Health-Care Waste (Fact sheet update). World Health Organization."},{"key":"e_1_3_3_44_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Yadavannavar MC Berad AS Jagirdar PB (2010) Biomedical waste management: A study of knowledge attitude and practices in a tertiary health care institution in Bijapur. Indian Journal of Community Medicine 35(1): 170\u2013171. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4103\/0970-0218.62591","DOI":"10.4103\/0970-0218.62591"},{"key":"e_1_3_3_45_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Yazie TD Tebeje MG Chufa KA (2019) Healthcare waste management current status and potential challenges in Ethiopia: A systematic review. BMC Research Notes 12: Article 285. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s13104-019-4316-y","DOI":"10.1186\/s13104-019-4316-y"}],"container-title":["Waste Management &amp; Research: The Journal for a Sustainable Circular Economy"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/0734242X261476427","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1177\/0734242X261476427","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1177\/0734242X261476427","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,25]],"date-time":"2026-08-25T07:46:36Z","timestamp":1787643996000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/10.1177\/0734242X261476427"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,22]]},"references-count":44,"alternative-id":["10.1177\/0734242X261476427"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0734242x261476427","relation":{},"ISSN":["0734-242X","1096-3669"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0734-242X","type":"print"},{"value":"1096-3669","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,8,22]]},"article-number":"0734242X261476427"}}