Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Hospital Recycling Program for Improving Nurses' Recycling Behaviours

Abstract

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Hospital Recycling Program for Improving Nurses' Recycling Behaviours

Abstract

Background and Purpose: To evaluate the effect of the Hospital Recycling Program conducted for the wastes generated during the practice of nurses on the recycling behavior and waste amounts of the nurses. Methods: A quasi-experimental study with a pre-test and post-test control group was conducted with 64 nurses. Data were collected by the Nurse Descriptive Characteristics Form, Recycling Scale for Sustainable Hospital, and Unit Waste Registration Form. The Hospital Recycling Program based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour was applied to the intervention group. Results: The Hospital Recycling Program had a positive effect on attitudes/behavior intention, and recycling behavior scores of nurses in the intervention group; the amount of recyclable waste was significantly increased compared to the control group (p<0.05). It was found that perceived behavioral controls of all nurses affected the intention to recycle and the Hospital Recycling Program had a significant effect on the attitudes of the nurses in the intervention group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The Hospital Recycling Program based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour has a positive effect on the recycling behaviors of the nurses and the amount of recyclable waste.

Keywords

• Attitude
• hospitals
• intention
• nurse
• recycling.

Supporting Institution

This study was funded by Ege University Faculty Member Training Program.

Thanks

his study was funded by Ege University Faculty Member Training Program and presented as a Doctoral dissertation at Ege University Health Sciences Institute. We would like to thank the nurses who participated in the study, the waste personnel performing waste measurements, and the environmentalist non-governmental organizations (ÇEVKO, ELDAY, TUKÇEV) that provided posters, brochures, notebooks, pens, and recycling bins support. We would also like to acknowledge Assoc. Prof. Dr. Timur Köse, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hakan BAYDUR, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aynur Çetinkaya, Assoc. Research Assistant Semiha Özgül for their valuable contribution to the statistical analysis of the data.

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