A Systematic Review of Health Care Waste Management Practices and their Impact on Environmental Performance in Developing Countries
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47067/ramss.v8i2.516Keywords:
Health Care Waste Management, Hospital Waste Management, Environmental Performance, Environmental Knowledge, Environmental Awareness, PRISMA, Thematic Analysis, PakistanAbstract
Health-care waste poses a significant threat to environmental sustainability and public health, necessitating effective waste management strategies. This study investigates the influence of Health Care Waste Management (HCWM) on Environmental Performance in Pakistan, with a specific focus on the role of employee knowledge in improving waste management practices. A systematic literature review was conducted using the PRISMA methodology, leading to the selection of 10 relevant studies. Through narrative synthesis and thematic analysis, the findings revealed that poor HCWM—such as inadequate segregation, weak regulatory enforcement, and improper disposal-contributes to severe environmental and health risks. Moreover, a lack of environmental knowledge among healthcare personnel often results in ineffective waste management systems. The study confirms a significant relationship between HCWM and environmental performance, highlighting that better staff understanding of HCWM leads to improved outcomes. However, the study is limited by its reliance on secondary data, a narrow scope, and the absence of quantitative analysis. Future research should adopt a longitudinal design with broader scope and include quantitative methods for more robust insights.
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