FROM KNOWLEDGE TO PRACTICE: A CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYSIS OF BIOMEDICAL WASTE DISPOSAL COMPLIANCE AND ITS DETERMINANTS AMONG PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS IN KARACHI, PAKISTAN

Abstract

This study assesses awareness and compliance with national biomedical waste disposal guidelines among general practitioners in District Karachi, Pakistan. A cross-sectional design was employed, with data collected from 79 practitioners from Sohail trust hospital and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital who were also doing private clinics using a validated questionnaire. Results revealed significant gaps between theoretical knowledge and practical implementation. While awareness levels were moderately high (64.8%), compliance rates remained suboptimal, particularly in waste segregation (OR=0.163, p<0.001) and transportation (OR=0.053, p<0.001). Logistic regression identified awareness as a stronger predictor than compliance for proper waste handling, though operational barriers hindered consistent practice. Key challenges included inadequate segregation, improper storage, and insufficient protective measures for waste handlers. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions combining education, resource allocation, and stricter enforcement of waste management protocols. This study contributes to existing literature by identifying context-specific barriers in low-resource settings and proposes actionable strategies to improve biomedical waste disposal practices. Addressing these gaps is critical for reducing healthcare-associated infections and environmental contamination while aligning with Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health) and 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).