The Effectiveness of Educational Interventions in Improving Waste Management Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices among Healthcare Workers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Alessio Conti, Elena Viottini, Rosanna Irene Comoretto, Chiara Piovan, Barbara Martin, Beatrice Albanesi (), Marco Clari, Valerio Dimonte and Sara Campagna
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Alessio Conti: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
Elena Viottini: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
Rosanna Irene Comoretto: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
Chiara Piovan: Department of Orthopedics and Functional Rehabilitation, Città della Salute e della Scienza University Hospital of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy
Barbara Martin: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
Beatrice Albanesi: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
Marco Clari: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
Valerio Dimonte: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy
Sara Campagna: Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, 10126 Turin, Italy

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 9, 1-22

Abstract: The healthcare sector represents a major source of waste production, and healthcare workers (HCWs) are crucial in waste management. Educational interventions (EIs) can be delivered through a single component (mono-component) or by combining different components (multi-component); although they have a potential impact on the sustainability of healthcare, their effectiveness in waste management still needs to be identified. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to describe EIs to improve waste management knowledge, attitudes, and practices among HCWs and provide an estimate of their effectiveness. Six relevant databases were searched; 24 articles were included, and 19 were meta-analyzed. These were mainly from low-income countries and did not consider EIs for recycling, reducing, and reusing. Compared to the mono-component EIs, the multi-component Eis showed a higher statistically significant positive post-intervention effect on knowledge, with greater retention in the medium–long term, and on practices, particularly among non-hands-on HCWs. The effects of the EIs on attitudes were not significant. Our results suggest that multi-component EIs should be preferred to improve waste management standards in the healthcare sector. Given the heterogeneity found among EIs, the standardization of types, content, duration, and assessment methods should be considered. Finally, their harmonization at a global level could influence international and national policies on sustainability.

Keywords: medical waste; education; interventions; healthcare workers; systematic review; meta-analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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