Immunization Status Of Waste Handlers In The Tertiary Care Hospitals Of Karachi In 2017

Background:Entering into the hospital environment as a student in training,governing bodies mandate that vaccines should be administered.If one does not comply then institutes are not liable for any adverse consequence.However,during the course of one's health care career many vaccines are forgotten or forfeited and unforeseen circumstances inevitably arise.The situation surrounding the immunization status of health care providers was something worth investigating.Research focused on hospitals in the Lahore area,in an attempt to establish some insight into the dimensions of immunization awareness and status.Until now there are not many,if any,hard and fast rules for the necessary immunization of the medical staff before getting a job in a hospital and this area needs a lot of focus and attention by the government and health officials in order to promote health and prosperity of the country.This is to be done on urgent basis as preventing the disease costs lower than treating it.More strict rules and regulations should be made in this accordance for the initial phase as well as monitoring the follow-up immunization procedure.Government should step in and should make sure that rules made are being implemented properly with its true essence and spirit.In doing so,the infection control of health care institutes will also be evaluated and approved.Together,the infectious disease rate and prevalence will lower.Mortality and incidence rate will lower.In the best situation more common diseases,over time,will become scarce.Aim:To assess the immunization status of waste handlers in the tertiary care hospitals of Karachi during 2017.Materials:Health care professionals,predesigned questionnaires and SPSS version 16.0.Methods:A cross sectional study was conducted in tertiary care hospitals of Karachi from 4 different towns,hospitals were selected by a non probability,purposive sampling technique.Information was then collected from waste handlers regarding their immunization statusResults:According to the results of our study it was found that most of the hazard waste handlers do not have complete immunization status.The main hindrance in getting better immunization status is the financial factor.Vaccines are costly and the purchasing power of the people is low due to low income indicators.Government and hospitals are not making enough efforts in providing cost effective vaccines by providing subsidies on them.There is no proper legislation regarding immunization of hospital waste handlers.Conclusion:It is concluded that there is a dire need of legislations regarding immunization of the hospital waste handlers and providing cost effective vaccination to the hospital waste handlers by the hospital administration and regional or national government.It is for the hospital institute,department and health care workers to ensure these laws are implemented,enforced and adhered to.All health professionals have a duty to provide a safe environment for the community.