EVALUATION OF WASTE GENERATION PATTERNS AND COMPOSITION IN TERTIARY HEALTHCARE FACILITIES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF UITH AND KWASUTH ILORIN, NIGERIA

Mohammed, A.W.; Sule, B. F.

Authors

Mohammed, A.W. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria
Sule, B.F. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria

Keywords:

Healthcare waste; Waste generation; Waste composition; Tertiary healthcare facilities; Waste management

Abstract

Healthcare waste management remains a critical public health and environmental challenge in developing countries, particularly in tertiary healthcare facilities where large patient volumes and intensive clinical activities generate diverse hazardous waste streams. This study evaluated waste generation patterns and composition at the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital and the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital in Nigeria. Waste generated by 20 departments at UITH and their corresponding units at KWASUTH was segregated into general (non-hazardous) and hazardous categories over four weeks and weighed daily. Results showed that UITH recorded a higher waste generation rate (2.0 kg/patient/day) compared to KWASUTH (1.75 kg/patient/day). Hazardous waste constituted approximately 42% of total waste generated in UITH, significantly higher than the 25% recorded in KWASUTH. Waste composition analysis indicated that general waste predominated in both hospitals (58–75%); however, UITH generated higher proportions of infectious, sharps, and pathological waste than KWASUTH. The findings align with previous studies reporting hazardous waste fractions of 10–25% in healthcare facilities, although the proportion observed in UITH exceeded the typical WHO range, suggesting inadequate waste segregation practices. The higher waste generation and hazardous waste proportion observed in UITH indicate increased environmental and occupational health risks. The study recommends stricter waste segregation protocols, regular staff training, and improved investment in treatment technologies such as autoclaves and incinerators to enhance compliance with healthcare waste management guidelines. The findings provide empirical data to support healthcare waste management planning and policy development in Kwara State, Nigeria.

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EVALUATION OF WASTE GENERATION PATTERNS AND COMPOSITION IN TERTIARY HEALTHCARE FACILITIES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF UITH AND KWASUTH ILORIN, NIGERIA

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