Accessibility through Awareness of Noise Sensitivity Management and Regulation Practices

The paper examined the relationship between individual background (sex, age and social class) and the level of awareness, knowledge and practices of solid waste management in PortHarcourt city residents. It defines solid waste management as the process of collecting, storing, treatment and disposal of solid wastes in such a way that they are harmless to humans, plants, animals, the ecology and the environment generally. The objective of this research is to ascertain the relationship between individual background (sex, age and social class) and the level of awareness, knowledge and practices of solid waste management in Port-Harcourt city residents. The research question addressed the extent of relationship between individual background (sex, age and social class) and the level of awareness, knowledge and practices of solid waste management in Port-Harcourt city residents. This research is based on Ajzen (1991) theory of planned behaviour which states that attitude towards behaviour, subjective norm, and perceived behavioural control, has influence in predicting the behavioural intention and actual behaviour of individuals when participatory decisions are voluntary and under an individual control. The research assumes that the background (sex, age and social class) of Port-Harcourt city residents influences their attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control thus determining the behavioural intention/actual behaviour i.e. level of awareness, knowledge and practices of solid waste management. 800 Port-Harcourt city residents were randomly surveyed from the two local government areas of the city (Port-Harcourt city and Obio/Akpor LGAs) using structured questionnaire. Data collected were subjected to percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test and chi-square statistical analyses. Findings revealed that Port-Harcourt city residents from the sampled zones are aware of solid waste management problems in their environment but possessed poor waste management practices. The study showed that the propensity for solid waste management practices differed by background (sex, social class and age) of residents. Significant relationships were observed between respondents’ sex, age and social class and their level of awareness, knowledge and practices of solid waste management. This research therefore recommends among others: sensitization of Port-Harcourt city residents on the dangers of poor solid waste management, provision of near-by solid waste collection points, enactment of waste management laws with stiffer penalties on offenders, establishment of solid waste recycling plants, effective monitoring of waste contractors, provision of more waste evacuation equipment, provision of more solid waste dump sites and effective monitoring of monthly clean-up activities.

ObjectivesDyslipidaemia is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in Malaysia. This study assessed the awareness, knowledge and practice of lipid management among...

IntroductionThe management and treatment of Medical Waste (MW) are of great concern owing to its potential hazard to human health and the environment, particularly in developing countries. In Bhutan, although guidelines exist on the prevention and management of wastes, the implementation is still hampered by technological, economic, social difficulties and inadequate training of staff responsible for handling these waste. The study aimed at assessing the awareness and practice of medical waste management among health care providers and support staff at the National Referral Hospital and its compliance with the existing National guidelines and policies.Materials and methodsAn observational cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2019. Three research instruments were developed and used; (i) Demographic questionnaire, (ii) Awareness questions, and (iii) the Observational checklist. The data was coded and double entered into Epi data version 3.1 and SPSS version 18 was used for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to present the findings of the study.ResultsThe majority of the respondents were female (54.1%) with a mean age of 32.2 (±7.67) years, most of whom have not received any waste management related training/education (56.8%). About 74.4% are aware of medical waste management and 98.2% are aware on the importance of using proper personal protective equipment. Only 37.6% knew about the maximum time limit for medical waste to be kept in hospital premises is 48 hours. About 61.3% of the observed units/wards/departments correctly segregated the waste in accordance to the national guidelines. However, half of the Hospital wastes are not being correctly transported based on correct segregation process with 58% of waste not segregated into infectious and general wastes.ConclusionThe awareness and practice of medical waste management among healthcare workers is often limited with inadequate sensitization and lack of proper implementation of the existing National guidelines at the study site. Therefore, timely and effective monitoring is required with regular training for healthcare workers and support staff. Furthermore, strengthening the waste management system at National Referral Hospital would provide beneficial impact in enhancing safety measures of patients.

The management and treatment of Medical Waste (MW) are of great concern owing to its potential hazard to human health and the environment, particularly in developing countries. In Bhutan, although guidelines exist on the prevention and management of wastes, the implementation is still hampered by technological, economic, social difficulties and inadequate training of staff responsible for handling these waste. The study aimed at assessing the awareness and practice of medical waste management among health care providers and support staff at the National Referral Hospital and its compliance with the existing National guidelines and policies. An observational cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2019. Three research instruments were developed and used; (i) Demographic questionnaire, (ii) Awareness questions, and (iii) the Observational checklist. The data was coded and double entered into Epi data version 3.1 and SPSS version 18 was used for analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to present the findings of the study. The majority of the respondents were female (54.1%) with a mean age of 32.2 (±7.67) years, most of whom have not received any waste management related training/education (56.8%). About 74.4% are aware of medical waste management and 98.2% are aware on the importance of using proper personal protective equipment. Only 37.6% knew about the maximum time limit for medical waste to be kept in hospital premises is 48 hours. About 61.3% of the observed units/wards/departments correctly segregated the waste in accordance to the national guidelines. However, half of the Hospital wastes are not being correctly transported based on correct segregation process with 58% of waste not segregated into infectious and general wastes. The awareness and practice of medical waste management among healthcare workers is often limited with inadequate sensitization and lack of proper implementation of the existing National guidelines at the study site. Therefore, timely and effective monitoring is required with regular training for healthcare workers and support staff. Furthermore, strengthening the waste management system at National Referral Hospital would provide beneficial impact in enhancing safety measures of patients.

Waste management is a critical aspect of environmental sustainability, and educational institutions play a pivotal role in shaping the attitudes and behaviors of future generations. This study investigated the awareness levels of students at Kampala International University regarding waste management practices. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining surveys and interviews to gather comprehensive data. The survey component assessed the students' knowledge of waste management principles, their perceptions of the importance of responsible waste disposal, and their current practices in managing waste at both personal and communal levels. The interviews delved deeper into the underlying factors influencing students' attitudes and behaviors toward waste management. The findings suggested a varied degree of awareness among students, highlighting potential gaps in understanding and implementation of waste management practices. The study aimed to provide insights that can inform educational initiatives to enhance environmental consciousness among students, fostering a culture of responsible waste management within the university community. Understanding the factors that shape students' awareness and practices in waste management is very crucial for developing targeted interventions, promoting sustainable behaviors, and contributing to broader environmental conservation efforts. Keywords: Students; Awareness; Waste Management; Practices; Kampala International University

Cities that are in countries grouped into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) uniformly face noise problems. The paper summarizes a systematic review conducted under the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines to examine noise profiles and legislation in ASEAN countries, aiming to identify gaps in legislative enforcement. The study reviews 54 noise records and contrasts 34 noise legislation records in ASEAN countries with noise legislation and management practices in Australia, Canada, the European Union (EU), Japan, New Zealand, the United States of America (USA), and the World Health Organization (WHO). Our review finds that most ASEAN countries have noise regulations but still, noise levels are high, often greatly exceeding stipulated levels. Private motor vehicles are the primary noise sources and significantly contribute to heavy traffic throughout the city. As a result, roadsides and housing areas are the most common locations for measurements, with noise levels nearly all exceeding the standards. In ASEAN, noise regulations are less detailed than those enacted in developed countries, which often mention measurement procedures, sanctions, and/or punishments for any violation. Consequently, the review found that most noise measurements in ASEAN countries lacked proper procedures. Compared to developed countries, ASEAN countries do not provide direct public or "self-reporting" channels for their communities, making noise bylaws only documents rather than enforcement tools. We argue that the availability of public reporting channels is a crucial aspect that should be adopted by ASEAN countries, although, as we point out, challenges exist.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">This paper addresses a topical issue:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>management awareness and strategies for the contemporary African manager.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>The overall aim of the work is to provide a framework for improved management practices for the manager and the intervener in both private and public sectors. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This framework is not limited to the African manager but has a wider application for other managers of organizations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>In pursuant of this objective, relevant key management concepts are explored and discussed bearing in mind that the subject of management is a dynamic and universal phenomenon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Emphasis is placed on the features of the endowed person and the potentials of the human being as the manager and as the most effective contributor to organizational life.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt; mso-pagination: none;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The identified concepts and their properties are interwoven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Other highlights are:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>(i) the universality in the applications or practices of management; (ii) the peculiarity in the applications and practices of management in different environments or social settings; (iii) management practices, problems and prospects in the African settings (See Table I).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Cases cited and examples drawn are meant <span style="text-decoration: underline;">inter alia</span> to strengthen the objectives of the study.</span></span></p>

In a world that rapidly rushes towards an urban future, the amount of municipal solid waste (MSW) is increasing drastically compared to the rate of urbanisation. During the early 2000s, around 2.9 billion people produced 0.64 kg of municipal solid waste (MSW) per person per day, but now the amount has increased to 3 billion people generating 1.2 kg per person per day. The waste products produced in higher educational institutions such as colleges and universities equal the operation of large-scale industries and healthcare facilities. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the level of practices and awareness of municipal solid waste management (MSWM) among students in UMK Campus Jeli. Besides, the association between the practices and awareness of municipal solid waste management among students in Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) Jeli Campus were measured. This study utilised a questionnaire concerning the students’ awareness and practices of MSW. The data were analysed using descriptive and chi-square tests. The results showed that the practices of students on MSW in terms of segregation were average, ‘reduce’ and ‘reuse’ practices were both high. While ‘recycling’ and ‘disposal’ practices were average and low, respectively. However, their awareness of MSWM was high. There was a significant association between awareness and practices regarding segregation, reduce, reuse, recycle and disposal of MSWM. In conclusion, UMK Jeli students have good practice and awareness of Municipal solid waste management. The students should be more persistent in the practices of MSW to live a more sustainable lifestyle.

Background: In dental practices, biomedical waste (BMW) management is essential to preserving a clean and safe atmosphere for patients and medical personnel. Dental facilities generate different forms of BMW, which include sharps, contaminated materials, and/or potentially infectious substances, which require proper handling, storage, and disposal to minimize the risk of infection and environmental contamination. Aim: The study aimed to assess the knowledge and awareness of BMW management among dental students in Chennai city using paper-based questionnaire. Materials and Methods: An observational cross-sectional survey containing 28 questions was framed to assess the knowledge and awareness of BMW management among the final-year BDS, interns, and postgraduate students (a total of 100 students). Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 27.0. Results: The results of our study showed statistically significant results with P = 0.01 among the study groups. The overall knowledge, attitude, and practice score was observed to be 67.5% for final-year BDS students, 68.09% for interns, and 71.76% for postgraduates. Conclusion: The knowledge assessed was found to be average among the participants. Hence, proper training and assessment are necessary for the proper handling and practice of BMW management.

Context: Handling of electronic and electrical waste (E-waste) has adverse effects on the environment and human well-being. To address the environmental and health risks arising from improper e-waste disposal, it is crucial to foster responsible practices and enhance understanding of e-waste management. Aims: This study aimed to assess the knowledge, awareness, and practice of e-waste management and association of these factors with demographic variables among undergraduate medical students. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a private medical university among medical students in Malaysia. Subjects and Methods: The selection of participants was done using purposeful sampling, and the questionnaire was distributed in the form of an online survey using Google Forms. Statistical Analysis Used: Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression were calculated. Results: Out of the 135 medical students surveyed, 39.3% demonstrated a good knowledge and 27.4% displayed a good awareness. In terms of practice, 67.4% of respondents appropriately disposed of electronic gadgets, whereas 41.5% properly disposed of electrical appliances. Notably, no statistically significant associations were found between demographic characteristics and the knowledge, awareness, and practice in e-waste management among the participants. Conclusions: Our research emphasizes the insufficient knowledge, awareness, and inadequate implementation of proper practices concerning e-waste management among medical students. Fostering a supportive environment and emphasizing collaborative efforts are crucial steps that empower medical students to actively participate in and contribute to responsible electronic waste practices. This approach enables students to be proactive agents in promoting a greener and more environmentally conscious approach to electronic waste.

Objective:The objective of this study is to assess the awareness and practices of dental care waste management among private dental practitioners in Tricity (Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali).Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in 100 private dental practitioners selected by simple random sampling using a close-ended questionnaire.Results:Amongst the total respondents 52% were males and 48% were females. Nearly 14% of the dental practitioners were not aware of the different categories of the waste generated in their clinics and 12% of the practitioners were not aware of the color coding used to dispose the waste. About 26% of them practiced wrong measures to dispose sharps and extracted tooth respectively. A majority 32% of Dentists did not disposed outdated and expired medicines properly.Conclusion:Majority of the dental practitioners was aware of categories and color coding used for disposal of different types of wastes yet they do not follow the same in their practice. Hence, strict prosecution laws should also be imposed under biomedical waste management act for the Dentists so that it should be implemented in daily practice.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 outlines a strategic commitment to economic transformation by diversifying income sources and promoting sustainable development. This study examines the moderating role of managerial awareness in the relationship between human resource management (HRM) practices—recruitment and selection, training and development, leadership, communication and engagement, work environment, and facilities—and employees' sustainable behavior. A quantitative methodology was adopted, using a self-administered questionnaire distributed to HR managers in the Saudi mining and quarrying sector. A simple random sample of 281 individuals was selected, and data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), with Cronbach’s Alpha used to assess reliability. The findings indicate that HRM practices positively influence employees’ sustainable behavior and that managerial awareness moderates this relationship. The study recommends further exploration of how HRM practices contribute to sustainability and highlights the role of managerial engagement in shaping employees’ environmental responsibility. The research is expected to contribute theoretically by deepening understanding of the link between managerial awareness and sustainable behavior and practically by providing insights into effective HRM strategies for fostering sustainability in organizations.

This study was undertaken to examine the level of awareness of waste management practices among dental practitioners at dental clinic in Enugu metropolis. A total of forty-five (45) dental practitioners involved in the study were provided with a self-administered questionnaire comprising the source of dental waste management awareness, knowledge attitude, and practices on dental waste. The investigation showed that the main source of dental waste management was through training/conference 82.2%. Exactly 71.1% of the practitioners were aware of the guideline laid down by the government for BMW disposal while 6.7% were unaware. The majority of the practitioners 82.2 % were aware of different colored bags used to dispose of different types of waste while 11.1 % and 6.7 % of the respondent tick ‘No’ and ‘Don’t know’ respectively. Only 15.5% knew that pyrolysis is an environmentally friendly technology that converts organic waste to commercially useful by-products, while 11.1% knew that thermoplastics in dentistry cannot be reused and not biodegradable. Few practitioners are aware of the type of incinerator present in their dental clinic 31.1%. However, dental nursing had a higher level of awareness 75.0% over other cadres. Also, the gender variable was not significantly related to the level of awareness (p = .903). Nevertheless, the female’s counterpart had a higher level of awareness 33.3 % than the male’s counterpart 31.6%. The overall level of awareness of the safe management of dental waste accounted for 31.1% of the respondents. Our findings showed that there was a low level of awareness of dental waste management among the studied population. Nevertheless, it is important to provide a guide for policies and legislation. This is evident from the fact that it is the knowledge of what specifically constitutes waste and the categories of waste that determine how wastes are dealt with or managed. This knowledge is crucial for properly disposing of dental materials, recovering resources, and assessing technical and environmental implications. Moreover, waste management techniques ought to be a regular topic of discussion in training and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses. Keywords: Dental practitioners, waste, management, Practices

Noise management plans of large cities are diverse along many factors, such as the responsibilities amd interactions at different levels of governance (national vs. local) and definition of noise (measurement-reliant vs. subject-centered). More specifically, for the regulation of transportation noise, there are various ways these sources are identified (by source type or acoustic signal properties), managed (time of day, zoning, and context), and controlled (police v. specialized departments, complaint systems, treatment of private v. public sources). The regulations, official communications and plans for transport noise are analyzed for 20 major North American and European cities (> 500,000 inhabitants) in order to assess current noise management strategies. Over the past 15 years, an extensive body of academic literature has provided grounds for a soundscape approach to urban noise where “appropriate” sounds can be used to positive effect. Current management plans are also examined for existing applications of this soundscape approach. Results will assist in highlighting trends and will feed into the development of best practices for noise management and regulation in large cities. This review is part of a larger project (Sounds in the City), a collaborative research effort with the City of Montreal, to shape the future of urban noise management.Noise management plans of large cities are diverse along many factors, such as the responsibilities amd interactions at different levels of governance (national vs. local) and definition of noise (measurement-reliant vs. subject-centered). More specifically, for the regulation of transportation noise, there are various ways these sources are identified (by source type or acoustic signal properties), managed (time of day, zoning, and context), and controlled (police v. specialized departments, complaint systems, treatment of private v. public sources). The regulations, official communications and plans for transport noise are analyzed for 20 major North American and European cities (> 500,000 inhabitants) in order to assess current noise management strategies. Over the past 15 years, an extensive body of academic literature has provided grounds for a soundscape approach to urban noise where “appropriate” sounds can be used to positive effect. Current management plans are also examined for existing applicat...

Numerous health issues can arise from improper domestic waste management. Uncollected wastes provide food and breeding sites for insect, bird and rodent which can expose the community to vector borne disease. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the community awareness towards domestic waste management. This study is a cross-sectional study conducted at Bandar Baru Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia. The questionnaire consists of five sections with a total of 57 questions. The questionnaire consists of four parts: Socio-demographic, knowledge, attitude and practice. The data were analysed using SPSS version 22.0. T-test, ANOVA test, Chi-squared test were used according to the type of variables and significance level will be taken at 95% or p-value of less than 0.05. A total of 355 respondents participated in this study. The mean age was 40.52 ±14.94. The majority of them were male (52.1%), Malay (71.0%), married (71.3%), with secondary educational (81%) and employed (41.1%). The majority of respondents mentioned that inappropriate waste management can cause dengue fever and leptospirosis (98.0%, 97.2%; respectively). Property type, education, occupation, ethnicity, religions and household income were significant influenced the knowledge of the participants towards domestic waste management. For attitude, gender, education, ethnicity, religion and income significantly influenced the attitude of the participants towards domestic waste management. For practice, ethnicity, religion and occupation were significantly influenced the practice of the participants towards domestic waste management. In conclusion, the community has moderate awareness of domestic waste management. Awareness of waste management should also be taught in school so that the next generation of people will have a better understanding and eventually have better practice in domestic waste management. It is also hoped that a carefully thought-out strategy can be developed to further improve the community awareness towards domestic waste management which will shed a new light on tackling this issue.