Purpose : This descriptive study aimed to examine the relationships among nurses’ knowledge, positive attitudes, infection control organizational culture, and management practices related to medical waste, and to identify factors influencing medical...
Purpose : This descriptive study aimed to examine the relationships among nurses’ knowledge, positive attitudes, infection control organizational culture, and management practices related to medical waste, and to identify factors influencing medical waste management practices.
Methods : Data were collected from 143 nurses working at C tertiary hospital in H County, J Province using a self-administered questionnaire from May 14 to May 23, 2025. The data were analyzed using SPSS/WIN 31.0 for descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. Scheffé’s test was conducted for post hoc comparisons, and the reliability of the instruments was assessed using Cronbach’s α.the reliability of the measurement tools was assessed using Cronbach's α.
Results : Participants’ knowledge of medical waste averaged 0.87 ± 0.09 (1-point scale), and their positive attitudes toward medical waste management averaged 4.28 ± 0.42 (5-point scale). Perceived infection control organizational culture averaged 5.74 ± 0.67 on a 7-point scale, and medical waste management practices averaged 4.29 ± 0.38 on a 5-point scale. Medical waste management practices differed significantly according to job position (t = −2.11, p = .04). Management practices demonstrated statistically significant positive correlations with positive attitudes toward medical waste (r = .53, p < .001) and infection control organizational culture (r = .47, p < .001). Predictors influencing management practices were positive attitude (β = .39, p < .001) and infection control organizational culture (β = .29, p < .001), explaining 34% of the variance.
Conclusion : Positive attitudes toward medical waste and infection control organizational culture were identified as major predictors of medical waste management practices among hospital nurses. These findings highlight the need to develop and disseminate structured educational programs designed to cultivate positive attitudes, strengthen organizational policies, provide multifaceted educational approaches, and promote standardized procedures to enhance infection control culture and improve medical waste management practices.
Key words : Medical waste, Infection control organizational culture, Management practice