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Factors Influencing Proper Healthcare Waste Management Practices Among Healthcare Workers in Nigeria Isaac John Umaru; Solomon Ossom Asare; Akpan Usenobong Morgan; Debora Akinola Umogbai; Emmanuel Eluu Chukwudi; Inemesit Samuel Essien; Abimbola Gbenga Olayemi; Omachi Blessing John
African Multidisciplinary Journal of Sciences and Artificial Intelligence Vol 2 No 3 (2025): African Multidisciplinary Journal of Sciences and Artificial Intelligence
Publisher : Darul Yasin Al Sys

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.58578/amjsai.v2i3.8022

Abstract

Healthcare waste management (HCWM) is a critical component of public health and environmental safety, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria where improper disposal practices pose significant risks, and compliance among healthcare workers remains inconsistent despite the existence of national guidelines and global protocols. This study aimed to assess the factors influencing proper HCWM practices among healthcare workers in Nigeria, focusing on knowledge, attitudes, institutional support, and policy awareness. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 300 healthcare workers across tertiary and secondary health facilities in Abuja, Lagos, and Kano. Data were collected using structured questionnaires covering demographic information, HCWM knowledge, attitudes, practices, and institutional factors, and were analyzed in SPSS v25 using chi-square tests and logistic regression to identify significant predictors of compliance. Among the respondents, 60% had received formal HCWM training, 70% were aware of HCWM guidelines, and 75% expressed positive attitudes toward waste management; however, only 55% practiced correct waste segregation and 50% reported adequate institutional support. Chi-square analysis revealed significant associations between HCWM training and proper waste segregation (χ² = 12.45, p < 0.01), and between institutional support and PPE usage (χ² = 9.78, p < 0.05). Logistic regression identified HCWM training (OR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.5–3.6) and positive attitude (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.2–2.9) as significant predictors of proper HCWM practices. The study concludes that training, institutional support, and attitudes are key determinants of HCWM compliance among healthcare workers in Nigeria, and that bridging the gap between knowledge and practice requires targeted interventions, infrastructure investment, and policy enforcement. Strengthening HCWM systems is essential for reducing occupational hazards, preventing environmental contamination, and promoting sustainable healthcare delivery.
Comparative Analysis of Microbial Load of the Main Water Production and Water Availability in Federal University Wukari Isaac John Umaru; Solomon Ossom Asare; Emmanuel Omanchi; Abimbola Gbenga Olayemi; Akpan Usenobong Morgan
African Multidisciplinary Journal of Sciences and Artificial Intelligence Vol 2 No 3 (2025): African Multidisciplinary Journal of Sciences and Artificial Intelligence
Publisher : Darul Yasin Al Sys

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.58578/amjsai.v2i3.8027

Abstract

Access to clean and safe water is a critical component of public health and institutional sustainability, particularly in academic environments where large populations depend on reliable water sources for daily activities. Federal University Wukari, located in Taraba State, Nigeria, primarily relies on boreholes and hand-dug wells to meet its water needs; however, these sources are susceptible to microbial contamination due to poor construction, proximity to waste disposal sites, and seasonal fluctuations in groundwater levels. This study conducted a comparative analysis of the microbial load in water samples collected from boreholes and wells across various campus locations. Standard microbiological techniques were employed to quantify total heterotrophic bacteria, coliforms, and the presence of Escherichia coli, and a structured survey was administered to assess water availability and usage patterns among students and staff. Results revealed that well water samples consistently exhibited higher microbial loads, with E. coli detected in all well sources, whereas borehole samples showed significantly lower contamination levels, and statistical analysis confirmed a significant difference in microbial counts between the two water sources (p < 0.05). The survey further indicated disparities in water availability, with student hostels and off-campus staff areas experiencing the most frequent shortages. These findings underscore the urgent need for routine water quality monitoring, infrastructural improvements, and policy interventions to ensure safe and equitable water access within the university. The study contributes to the broader discourse on water safety in Nigerian tertiary institutions and provides actionable insights for campus health and infrastructure planning.
Water Security and Public Health in Michika LGA: Assessing Microbial Contamination and Expanding Borehole Access Isaac John Umaru; Solomon Ossom Asare; Emmanuel Omanchi; Akpan Usenobong Morgan; Abimbola Gbenga Olayemi; Mathias Mawuli Ametefe
African Multidisciplinary Journal of Sciences and Artificial Intelligence Vol 2 No 3 (2025): African Multidisciplinary Journal of Sciences and Artificial Intelligence
Publisher : Darul Yasin Al Sys

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.58578/amjsai.v2i3.8028

Abstract

Access to safe drinking water remains a critical public health challenge in many rural communities across Nigeria, and in Michika Local Government Area (LGA) of Adamawa State reliance on shallow wells and unprotected water sources has contributed to recurring outbreaks of waterborne diseases. This study assessed the safety and sustainability of water sources in Michika LGA by pursuing four objectives: evaluating microbial contamination—specifically the presence of Escherichia coli and total coliforms—and physicochemical parameters in wells and boreholes; conducting hydro-geophysical surveys to determine aquifer characteristics such as depth, thickness, and resistivity; utilizing Geographic Information System (GIS) tools to map borehole feasibility zones and identify contamination hotspots; and developing targeted recommendations for improving water safety and guiding future borehole expansion based on integrated data analysis. Water samples were collected from 20 wells and 15 boreholes across seven districts in Michika LGA, and microbial and physicochemical parameters were analyzed using standard laboratory procedures. Data were processed in SPSS v25, with descriptive statistics and ANOVA applied to compare contamination levels across districts and seasons. Hydro-geophysical surveys using Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) were conducted to assess aquifer characteristics, while GIS mapping was employed to visualize borehole locations, contamination levels, aquifer productivity, and proximity to schools and clinics. Ethical approval was obtained from the State Health Research Ethics Committee, informed consent was secured from all participants, and water samples were anonymized and coded for confidentiality. The results revealed that 65% of wells tested positive for E. coli, with Zah and Moda districts recording the highest contamination levels (110 and 85 CFU/100 mL, respectively), whereas boreholes showed significantly lower microbial loads, with 80% falling within WHO safety limits. Physicochemical analysis indicated elevated turbidity in Minkisi and Garta (9.8 and 7.5 NTU), exceeding WHO guidelines. Hydro-geophysical data identified high-yield aquifer zones in Minkisi, Diaka, and Zah, with resistivity values above 120 Ωm and aquifer thickness exceeding 18 meters. GIS maps highlighted contamination hotspots overlapping with high population density zones and limited access to clinics, while districts such as Michika Town and Diaka, with safe boreholes and nearby infrastructure, were identified as optimal zones for expansion. Overall, this study highlights the urgent need for targeted water safety interventions in Michika LGA: wells remain highly vulnerable to microbial contamination, especially in densely populated districts, whereas boreholes located in high-yield aquifer zones offer a safer alternative and should be prioritized for development. GIS mapping proved instrumental in identifying contamination hotspots, aquifer feasibility, and infrastructure gaps, providing a data-driven roadmap for the Government of Adamawa State and the Michika community to improve water security, reduce disease burden, and guide sustainable borehole expansion.
Assessment of Biological Risk Exposure Among Hospital Housekeepers at Wukari Teaching Hospital Isaac John Umaru; Solomon Ossom Asare; Akpan Usenobong Morgan; Debora Akinola Umogbai; Abimbola Gbenga Olayemi; Genevieve Akpah Yeboah
African Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Research Vol 2 No 3 (2025): African Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Research
Publisher : Darul Yasin Al Sys

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.58578/ajbmbr.v2i3.8026

Abstract

Hospital housekeepers play a vital role in maintaining hygiene and preventing infections within healthcare facilities, yet they are frequently exposed to biological hazards such as bloodborne pathogens, respiratory droplets, and contaminated waste, often without adequate protection or training. In Nigeria, particularly in tertiary institutions like Wukari Teaching Hospital, limited resources and weak enforcement of safety protocols further increase the vulnerability of non-clinical staff. This study aimed to assess the level of biological risk exposure among hospital housekeepers and identify gaps in personal protective equipment (PPE) usage, hygiene practices, and institutional support. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 60 hospital housekeepers at Wukari Teaching Hospital, with stratified random sampling ensuring representation across departments including wards, emergency, surgery, and outpatient units. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, direct observation checklists, and key informant interviews with infection control officers, and variables assessed included demographic data, exposure history, PPE usage, hygiene practices, and training experience. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, while qualitative responses were thematically coded. Findings revealed that 78.3% of housekeepers had direct contact with biological waste in the past six months, with blood, sputum, and vomit being the most common contaminants; only 41.7% consistently used full PPE, and just 36.7% reported that PPE was always available. Hand hygiene compliance was observed in 58.3% of cases, while 65% of respondents had never received formal infection control training, and only 30% felt adequately protected at work, with a majority suggesting improvements such as regular training, better supervision, and increased PPE supply. The study concludes that hospital housekeepers at Wukari Teaching Hospital face substantial biological risks due to frequent exposure, inconsistent PPE usage, and inadequate training, highlighting the urgent need for institutional reforms including structured infection control education, reliable PPE provision, and strict enforcement of hygiene protocols to protect this essential workforce and ensure a safe and resilient healthcare environment.