Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development
  • Year: 2019
  • Volume: 10
  • Issue: 9

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Towards Household Solid Waste Management among Semi-Urban Residents-A Community based Cross Sectional Study from Southern Part of Coastal Karnataka, India

  • Author:
  • K Eshwari1, Ranjitha S Shetty2,, D Akhila3, Beulah Sarah James4, Akhilesh Kumar Pandey5
  • Total Page Count: 6
  • Page Number: 385 to 390

1Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India

2Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India

3Postgraduate, Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India

4Palliative Care Officer, E.D Hospital, District Health and Family Welfare, Mysore, India

5Lecturer/Statistician, Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India

*Corresponding author: Dr Ranjitha S Shetty, Associate Professor, Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Email: ranjitha.shetty@manipal.edu

Online published on 13 November, 2019.

Abstract

To determine the knowledge, attitude and practices towards household solid waste management and the perceived barriers for its proper disposal among residents of a semi-urban area.

A community based cross sectional study was conducted among semi-urban residents of field practice area of a Medical College in Karnataka, India. A total of 441 households were included in to the study. A face-to-face interview was conducted using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices among the residents towards management of household solid waste. Data was entered using Epi info mobile app and was analyzed using Easy R(EZR) software.

The overall knowledge (60.3%), attitude (61.5%) and practices (72.8%) towards solid waste among the participants was near satisfactory. More than 90% were aware about the effects of inappropriate management of waste on health and environment. It was identified that having a better education and holding a skilled and professional jobs were the independent predictors of knowledge and attitude.

The gaining momentum among public towards management of solid waste can be further strengthened by taking in to account the identified predictors like education and occupation of the residents.

Keywords

Solid waste, Household, Knowledge, Attitude, Practices, Waste management, Environment