Sharps Disposal Practices and Associated Factors Among Adults With Hemophilia Receiving Home‐Based Treatment
Zühal DEMİRCİ, Selin KIR, Yasemin YILDIRIM, Fahri ŞAHİNABSTRACT
Background
The increasing use of home‐based parenteral therapies has made the safe management of sharps waste a significant public health concern.
Aim
This study aimed to evaluate sharps use and disposal practices among patients with haemophilia receiving home treatment and to identify factors associated with proper disposal.
Methods
This cross‐sectional, descriptive study included 69 adult haemophilia receiving home‐based treatment. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, group comparisons, and logistic regression analysis were performed to identify factors associated with proper disposal.
Results
The majority of patients disposed of sharps waste in household trash, while only a small proportion used appropriate disposal methods. In‐home sharps exposure was reported. Logistic regression analysis showed that concern about sharps waste was the only factor significantly associated with proper disposal, increasing the likelihood by approximately 5.5 times. No significant associations were found between demographic or clinical characteristics and proper disposal. Approximately three‐quarters of participants reported disposing of sharps in household waste.
Conclusions
Sharps disposal rates are low among patients with haemophilia receiving home‐based treatment. Previous information regarding sharps waste disposal was associated with safer disposal practices, although appropriate disposal may also depend on accessible and structured waste management systems. Improving disposal requires not only education but also accessible and structured waste management systems.