The Development of Community Infectious Waste Management Model in Phuket Province

Abstract

This action research is primarily aimed at developing a community infectious waste management model. The research also involves preparing and providing support for the developing of community infectious waste management model in Phuket province. The effectiveness of the implemented model is evaluated. This assessment is done through various means, including: An observation form is used to assess the operation of the infectious waste management in 12 communities. These communities are located in four local administrative organizations of varying sizes. The research assesses the knowledge and practices of 211 individuals involved in infectious waste management. This assessment is done through a questionnaire, and the Cronbach's Alpha coefficient for the total scale was 0.89. Data collected from 2022 to 2023. Qualitative data were analyzed according to the study objectives, additionally, comparison statistics are employed using the Paired samples t-test to assess the effectiveness of the implemented model. The findings revealed that an appropriate and safe community infectious waste management model must obviously involve community participation and defined roles and duty for those involved. It should include proper procedure guidelines for separation, collection, transportation, and disposal of infectious waste. This is accomplished through the mechanism of a provincial-level committee, strengthening the network of community infectious waste management, and communication to promote health literacy about the infectious waste management to public. The results of the effectiveness assessment reveal that the majority communities and related organizations were able to follow the established model. However, there were issues related to provide materials and equipments to the communities and ensuring sufficient infectious waste disposal points coverage in some areas. Additionally, some individuals within the community did not use proper labeling to indicate infectious waste, and there were instances of general waste mixed with infectious waste. Regarding the level of knowledge and behavior practices of people, the research found that after the intervention, the community's knowledge and behavior practices related to infectious waste management were statistically significant improved (p<0.05). Therefore, it is recommended that communities and relevant organizations should continue working together. They should collaborate to analyze and address issues in areas that is still lacking implemented to ensure that all infectious waste is managed correctly.