Developing a Sustainable Model for Household Infectious Waste Management in Iran: A Mixed-methods Study

Background and Purpose: The increasing provision of home healthcare has led to a rise in infectious waste within residential settings, posing significant public health and environmental risks. This study aimed to develop a comprehensive management framework to address this challenge. Materials and Methods: This study used a mixed-methods design that integrated a systematic literature review and qualitative interviews to develop a conceptual model of household infectious waste management in Iran. Fifteen specialists in waste management were selected through purposeful sampling, and their expertise was examined using qualitative content analysis. The initial framework was then validated and refined using the Delphi technique, incorporating iterative feedback from the expert panel. Sample sizes were determined separately for each phase: Data saturation was achieved after ۱۲ participants in the qualitative interviews, while ۲۲ experts participated in the first round of the Delphi study and ۱۰ experts participated in the final validation. Results: The final model is structured around ۱۲ core elements: ۱) education and culture, ۲) management measures, ۳) social and legal support, ۴) economic support, ۵) technology, ۶) control and evaluation, ۷) production, ۸) classification and collection, ۹) temporary storage, ۱۰) transportation, ۱۱) processing, and ۱۲) safe disposal. These elements are further elaborated through ۱۴ sub-components designed to improve operational practices. Quantitative validation results showed median scores of ۳.۵-۴ on a ۴-point scale for all ۱۲ evaluation criteria, with expert agreement ranging from ۹۰% to ۱۰۰%.  Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that a holistic strategy, covering the entire life cycle of waste, from generation to final disposal, is crucial for effective management. A key insight is the critical need for public education on proper separation, storage, and disposal methods, given that those generating the waste typically lack formal training. The study also underscores the vital role of innovative technologies and intelligent management systems in optimizing the waste handling process. For this model to be implemented successfully, a collaborative effort involving households, healthcare providers, waste management professionals, and government agencies is essential. We recommend further investigation to test the model’s expert-based validation and enhance its efficacy in real-world scenarios.

کلیدواژه ها:

Waste ، Infectious ، Waste management ، Acculturation ، Household waste